REVIEWS:
"Payne makes a decent enough leading man. But it is his supporting cast
that lends gravitas to 'The Physician.' Kingsley gives Sina the
solemnity you’d expect, and an urgency that his decades have taught him
to keep from his master, the Shah (Olivier Martinez), a vain ruler
capable of glimmers of understanding mixed with ruthless cruelty.
Skarsgård’s Barber just swaggers
and staggers and twinkles, all to great effect." ...Film
critic Roger Moore
"For all the effort put into re-creating the era in question, supported
here by awe-inspiring visual effects work by Pixomondo, Jan Berger’s
script still relies on simplistic emotional ploys and reductive
characterizations to manipulate our feelings. But then, such tactics
proved perfectly acceptable in such hefty period offerings as
'Braveheart' and 'Gladiator,' and 'The Physician truly is a comparable
achievement." ...Peter Debruge, Variety
"Kingsley and Skarsgård could
do these roles in their sleep but certainly are awake for all of this
film. Payne, meanwhile, puts his piercing, blue-green eyes to good use,
even if he never quite manages to overcome Rob's somewhat plain
leading-man qualities. The supporting cast is filled with people
delivering strong work, including Michael Marcus and Elyas M’Barek as
two student friends of Jesse’s." ...Boyd van Hoeij, The
Hollywood Reporter
"Both Stellan Skarsgård as
the Barber and Ben Kingsley as Ibn Sina excel in their respective mentor
roles. Skarsgård has a
lively, enduring rapport with Payne as this scoundrel healer/”father.
And Kingsley is tailor-made to play this Jewish/Persian
scholar/physician/mentor." ...Film critic Chad R. Schulz
"Amazingly enough, this is the first movie adaptation of Noah Gordons
1986 bestseller, considering that the historical drama has everything
you need for a blockbuster: a lead character beset by trauma who becomes
the pioneer of a new age, as well as love, betrayal and a hearty portion
of sex. Screenwriter Jan Berger and director Philipp Stölzl mix these
ingredients into a historical spectacle that pleads for tolerance and
man’s aspiration for recognition. The Medicus proves that European
movies can also offer exceptionally shot costume dramas."
...Christopher Diekhaus, Cineman.com