As I recall, people found it schmaltzy, unbelievable, and at that point, were starting to find Robin Williams comedy shtick in films repetitive and annoying.
I remember finding the movie simply kind of dull and mediocre.
Robin Williams has done some good things on film, but overall, I've never understood why people think he's so great. The man is just not funny. Occasionally, maybe, here and there, but in general he is extremely annoying. He strikes me as a man who feels constantly under pressure to be "on," whether he has to be or not, and, sadly, most of the time he is off. And when he riffs? Oh my God, one tired cliche after another, from cliche black man to cliche gay man to cliche preacher to cliche bumpkin. Just shut the f*** up already.
Okay. I've vented.
Jack? About as good as Patch Adams.