March 6, 1993
THE ROAD TO WELLVILLE
Screenplay by Alan Parker, based on the novel by T.C. Boyle
Synopsis by Brian Aldrich
In 1907, scientist DR. JOHN HARVEY KELLOGG, inventor of the corn flake, operates the BATTLE CREEK SANITARIUM, an institute for healthy biological living. His methods are ascetic at best. His crazy adopted son, GEORGE, keeps breaking into the sanitarium and bothering the guests. DR. K comes face to face with his enemy, DR. LIONEL BADGER, a fanatical vegetarian. Dr. K's assistant drops dead. Two patients are electrocuted accidentally.
ELEANOR LIGHTBODY has convinced her ailing husband, WILL, to go to the sanitarium with her. She has been there before and is an ardent disciple. She spends most of the time with her friends while Will struggles through five enemas a day. Feeling ignored and horny, Will has an affair with IDA MUNTZ, another patient. When Eleanor finally consents to have sex with Will, he is confused and unable to perform. Will witnesses the two patients being electrocuted. Later, Will learns that Ida has died in her sleep. Will leaves and goes to town for a steak.
Meanwhile, food inventor CHARLES OSSINING arrives in Battle Creek to meet up with GOODLOE H. BENDER, his partner in their new cereal business. Ossining finds Bender living a luxurious lifestyle on Ossining's AUNT's investment money. Bender meets George Kellogg and includes him in the business to utilize his last name. Bender, Ossining, and George rent a derelict factory and hire BARTHOLEMEW BOOKBINDER, a former Kellogg employee, to work for them as they develop their product. They try, but the product they create is inedible.
In town, Ossining meets Will at the restaurant and Will loans him a thousand dollars. They get drunk. Eleanor is furious when Will returns to the sanitarium drunk. Dr. K orders Will to surgery where they take out a piece of colon. Ossining, Bender, and George steal a shipment of cornflakes and put it in their boxes. Badger refers Eleanor to a quack doctor who gives her orgasms in the name of health therapy. Will begs Eleanor to return home with him. She refuses. Bender receives $32,000 in advance orders. Ossining's aunt, MRS. HOOKSTRATTEN, arrives. She informs Dr. K that George is in business with her nephew. Dr. K is shocked. Bender skips town with the money and leaves the debts behind for Ossining. Will tries to seduce NURSE GRAVES. Dr. K publicly calls Ossining a fraud and has him arrested. Will finds Eleanor in the midst of an orgy. They argue and reconcile. George begins blowing up the sanitarium. Dr. K saves George's life. Ossining escapes to become a cola millionaire. Dr. K rebuilds his sanitarium.
Summary Criticism: The characters are colorful; the plotting is hysterical.
The Road To Wellville (1994) - imdb
The Road To Wellville (1994) - wiki
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