Thomas Lilti’s “Hippocrates: Diary of a French Doctor” is the sort of smart drama that raises big questions over small decisions.
Benjamin (Vincent Lacoste) is the audience’s entry point, yet the more compelling intern is Abdel (Reda Kateb). He’s an experienced physician from Algeria and tolerates a title beneath him so he can eventually bring his wife and child to France. The clash between Abdel and Benjamin is what drives the film. As they collaborate on the care of two patients, both enfeebled, they shift from mutual disdain to respect in an unspoken, organic way.
“Hippocrates” loses its nerve with a facile climax that betrays the depth of what precedes it, yet there are few things more fascinating than when competent professionals disagree, especially if we appreciate the source of their impasse.
