Review of What About Bob? (1991) by Philip S — 10 Aug 2011

"What About Bob" is one of the most twisted, yet funny buddy comedies to come out in a long time. Bob Wiley (isn't it interesting that his last name is Wiley, considering what he does to track down Leo?) is old hat for Murray. Murray is known for "uncommon" roles. And this role is no different for Murray. At some points, Bob's interaction with Leo and his family is so disturbing that some viewers may not know whetherto laugh or to simply feel uncomfortable.

Bob's relationship with Leo (played by Richard Dreyfuss) is what makes for many of those moments that could make people uncertain as to whether to laugh or feel uncomfortable. Leo is so uptight that when Bob manages to track him down, he [Bob] becomes the father figure that the family had always wanted, despite being somewhat mentally unstable. This leads to many of the movie's funniest moments, including when Bob helps Sigmund (Leo's son) get over his fear of swimming. Leo tries to suddenly play the nurturing father role after Bob inadvertantly did what Leo couldn't. There are more moments like this through the movie that make for plenty of laughs. They lead up to a climax that probably no one would have seen. That moment is just one of many in whcih audiences may feel rather uncomfortable, yet feel the urge to laugh at the same time. It's just one more element that makes this movie so twisted, yet so funny at the same time.

The comedy aside, there is one scene in the movie that could create a serious discussion among those that may know anything about psychology and studies done within the science. Bob gets committed at one point in the movie, only to be so convincing that none of the hospital's employees think he's actually unstable. If anything he makes it appear that Leo's the one who is unstable. The discussion that could come from this goes back to studies about mental institutions and how exactly they determine whether or not a person needs to be in said institution(s). That discussion aside, this one scene leads to the climax that probably no one would have seen. It's a near cartoonish climax in its own way. Perhaps that's what makes it so funny.

"What About Bob" is one of the most twisted, yet funny buddy comedies to see the light of day. It's rather original in its own way. Maybe it's the unusual relationship between Leo and Bob. Or maybe it's how Bob loosened up Leo's family, making Leo jealous of Bob. Maybe it was even the eventual discussion raised by Bob's momentary commitment. Perhaps it was a combination of all of these elements together that made the movie so funny. Whatever it was, 'What About Bob?' stands out in the comedy genre as one of the best of the best.