Watch My Own Country

My Own Country is a 1998 drama film based on the memoir of Indian-born American physician, Abraham Verghese. The movie stars Naveen Andrews as Dr. Verghese, a newly arrived Indian-American doctor in the rural town of Johnson City, Tennessee in the mid-1980s. As the story unfolds, we see Dr. Verghese navigating his way through the unfamiliar landscape of small-town America while dealing with the prejudice and racism that he encounters as a person of color. However, the main focus of the movie is the AIDS epidemic that was sweeping through the country at the time and how it affects the community of Johnson City.

Dr. Verghese, who is a specialist in infectious diseases, becomes one of the leading doctors in the area treating patients with AIDS. As the number of AIDS cases increases, he starts to see patterns that are unique to the region, leading him to believe that something else is contributing to the spread of the disease beyond the usual risk factors of unprotected sex or intravenous drug use.

When Dr. Verghese shares his theories with his colleagues and the local authorities, he faces resistance, but he persists in his search for answers. Along the way, he forms close relationships with some of his patients, including a young man named Jackie (played excellently by Marisa Tomei), who is dying of AIDS.

The movie tackles several important themes, including the AIDS epidemic, racism, cultural differences, and the role of the medical community in dealing with public health crises. The film does an excellent job of portraying the fear and anxiety that surrounded AIDS at the time, as well as the prejudices that were associated with the disease, particularly against the LGBTQ+ community.

Naveen Andrews' performance as Dr. Verghese is exceptional, portraying a man torn between his loyalty to his adopted country and his love for his homeland. Glenne Headly portrays his wife, Nancy, who is also struggling with assimilating into the community, and Hal Holbrook plays the role of Dr. Verghese's mentor and friend, Dr. David Carr, who is also battling his own demons.

The film is notable for its accurate portrayal of the medical aspects of AIDS and its impact on patients and their families. By highlighting the struggles of individuals trying to cope with the disease, the movie emphasizes the importance of treating patients with compassion and dignity.

My Own Country is a poignant and thought-provoking movie that captures the essence of the struggle against AIDS in the 1980s. It shows us how scientific curiosity, combined with compassion and understanding, can make a difference in people's lives. Anyone who appreciates a well-told story with compelling characters and important themes will enjoy this movie.

My Own Country is a 1997 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.