Watch The Illustrated Family Doctor

The Illustrated Family Doctor is a heartfelt Australian drama from 2005 that tells the story of a young family struggling with the overwhelming challenges of a rare genetic disorder that affects their two children. The film's story is centered around Colin (Samuel Johnson) and Frank (Colin Friels), two brothers-in-law who together own and run a small-town pharmacy. Colin is married to Frank's sister, Sandy (Jessica Napier), and the couple has two young children, Sophie and James.

Sophie and James both suffer from an incredibly rare genetic disorder that is slowly killing them. This devastating reality weighs heavily on the family, causing tension and stress between Colin and Sandy, and adding an extra layer of worry to the already demanding lives of the two brothers-in-law.

Despite the severity of Sophie and James' condition, the family tries to keep things as normal as possible, taking small joys wherever they can find them. The bond between Colin and Frank grows stronger as they work together to manage their pharmacy and help their community, but also as they try to support each other through the unimaginable hardship of losing two young children.

Throughout the film, the characters face difficult decisions and grapple with their intense emotions, often turning to each other for support. And while the film certainly highlights the heartbreak and tragedy of its subject matter, it also manages to find moments of warmth, humor, and hope.

The performances in The Illustrated Family Doctor are uniformly excellent. Samuel Johnson brings a quiet intensity to his role as Colin, capturing the character's pain and stubbornness in equal measure. Colin Friels is equally powerful as Frank, the older and wiser brother-in-law who provides a grounding force for his loved ones.

Jessica Napier is exceptional as Sandy, navigating the complex emotions of a mother trying to balance hope and despair in the face of her children's health struggles. The young actors playing Sophie and James, meanwhile, imbue their roles with a palpable sense of innocence and vulnerability.

Director Kriv Stenders shows a deft hand with the material, balancing the story's more harrowing moments with moments of tenderness and humanity. The film's cinematography and production design create a lived-in, small-town atmosphere that feels both authentic and immersive.

At its core, The Illustrated Family Doctor is a moving and deeply emotional film that doesn't shy away from the realities of tragedy and loss. But it is also a story of resilience and love, of the strength of family bonds in the face of unimaginable pain. Through its honest and affecting storytelling, the film leaves a lasting impression on those who watch it.

The Illustrated Family Doctor is a 2015 comedy with a runtime of 102 hours. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.9.