Review of What About Bob? (1991) by Nathan C — 19 Nov 2013

An amusing comedic flick that has a psychological side to it. Bill Murray delivers a winning performance as he manages to simultaneously be good-natured and loveable as well as desperate and annoying. Richard Dreyfuss works exceedingly well as his initially mild-mannered yet ultimately crazed foil with a touch of narcissism.

There are many funny moments as well as some surprisingly dark aspects to the film. It triumphs in that it doesn't fall for the sentimental ploy that many comedies go for in the end. However, this movie will leave you very drained, perhaps to the point that you might be as exasperated as Dreyfuss's character.

The movie didn't generate as many big laughs as a premise like this would offer. It progressively loses steam in the third act, only to close with a rushed ending. Looking at it from a psychological standpoint, it's not very accurate in its handling of the material.

I wouldn't think the filmmakers were trying to go for that as they had a screwball comedy in mind. Yet nonetheless, the events of this movie probably wouldn't even happen, and if they did... well, it'd be bad for both the patient and the doctor.

All in all, though, "What About Bob?" is a fun and pleasantly diverting comedy that's intermittently worthwhile.