Review: What About Bob?
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this movie contains a mild amount
of profanity, much of it delivered in scenes mocking Tourette's
Syndrome. The profanity is silly, with insults like "testicle
head" and "barf-breathed douche mouth" predominating;
nonetheless, it may be too much for some kids and parents. The
movie also makes light of serious mental health issues such as
paranoia and agoraphobia and features a main character who's
essentially a stalker, though this is presented humorously.
Some cartoonish violence occurs near the end; for instance, one
character hangs explosives on another and threatens to blow him
up.
Families can talk about mental health concepts. Bob is
presented as "crazy" but not dangerous --how might a real
person with similar emotional problems act? How does the film's
portrayal of a stalker deviate from the real-life danger they
pose? How could Dr. Marvin have dissuaded Bob from pursuing him
without resorting to violence? This light and funny movie could
be a good jumping-off point for parents wishing to show how
actual mental-health difficulties differ from cinematic
portrayals.
Flush with the success of his new self-help book, psychologist Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) accepts a new patient referred by a colleague. Bob Wiley (Bill Murray) turns out to be deeply neurotic, and after just one session with Dr. Marvin forms such a strong attachment that he tracks the psychologist to his vacation spot and proceeds to complicate both Dr. Marvin's life and a prestigious TV interview. To make matters worse, everyone besides Dr. Marvin sees Bob as an endearing schlub, including Dr. Marvin's family.
WHAT ABOUT BOB? is definitive proof of Bill Murray's loopy charm, because with a different cast -- or a different slant -- this classic comedy about a kooky stalker and his hapless psychologist could have been a routine sitcom-style flick with a creepy edge. We've seen this type of high-concept setup before, with main characters who steadfastly refused to let go of the object of their affection, no matter how harshly they were shooed away. But Murray's such an affable, adorable actor that even predictable scenes have a sort of cockeyed charm.
With both Dreyfuss and Murray cast in roles that take advantage of their strong points (Dreyfuss as the straight-man-on-the-edge; Murray as an out-there eccentric), What About Bob? cashes in on their charm. The result is a goofy, good-hearted comedy that's gentle enough for kids yet witty enough for parents.
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