“Trust Me, I’m a Doctor” is based on the true story of Dr. Sandeep Kapoor and one of his most high-profile patients, Anna Nicole Smith. Smith died in 2007. The film portrays Kapoor and Smith’s relationship, as well as the legal aftermath of her death.
Kal Penn (from “Harold & Kumar” and the outstanding TV series “Designated Survivor”) is excellent as Kapoor. At the beginning of the movie, we hear Penn’s narration and see him talk directly to the screen. It sets the tone for the kind of film we’re in for: attention-grabbing, unconventional and unpredictable. “Trust Me…” is definitely “I, Tonya”-ish in style (especially with the tone and timeline), but the structure and overall vibe mostly work.
Writer/director Thane Economou allows the engaging story (based on Kapoor’s memoir) to unravel layer after layer. I was thoroughly invested for all two hours. The courtroom elements are quite good. Linda Hamilton… yes *the* Linda Hamilton from “Terminator” and many other sci-fi projects… is fantastic as Kapoor’s no-nonsense, spunky, Los Angeles lawyer, Ellyn Garofalo.
Abbie Cornish plays Smith, and it’s a fine performance, though she isn’t in the film very much. This is largely Kapoor’s story, of how he handled this very public controversy in the 2000s. A TMZ subplot may make you think, “This seems a little goofy and far-fetched.” Closing credits footage helps justify its existence.
If you’re into biography docu-dramas with a Hollywood hook and some genuinely emotional elements, then “Trust Me”: You’ll find this to be a pretty compelling saga.
LCJ GRADE: B+
Running Time: 111 min.