Starring: Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss, Julie Hagerty, Charlie Korsmo, Kathryn Erbe Directed By: Frank Oz Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Buena Vista Home Entertainment Number of Items: 1 Picture Format: Letterbox Region Code: 1 Release Date: July 11, 2000 Running Time: 99 minutes Theatrical Release Date: May 17, 1991
Product Description: Murray plays a therapy patient who won't leave his therapist alone, even when the therapist goes on vacation. Genre: Feature Film-Comedy Rating: PG Release Date: 1-JUL-2003 Media Type: DVD
So; what about it? Okay, here's the deal. `What about Bob?' is funny, but it's not the uproarious comedy that I remember from my youth. Yes, `What about Bob?' doesn't age as well as I would have liked it to. A lot of the jokes hit, but the overall feel of the film is no where near as fresh as I remember. I think I'm growing tired of comedies that push the boundaries of common sense. Why can't all comedies be smart? I mean, to have everyone around Bob be completely oblivious to his overwhelming annoyance except his doctor is just kind of pushing it for me. I mean, couldn't they have made Bob a pest to `everyone'? It would have still been funny and it would have also been believable.
Anyways.
`What about Bob?' tells us the story of mentally disturbed Bob Wiley who becomes obsessed with his new therapist Dr. Leo Marvin; so much so that he tracks him down while he is away on vacation and imposes on him and his family, spending every waking (and some non-waking) moment with him. Leo seems to be going crazy since no one else seems to notice how incredibly intrusive Bob is being and soon Leo's entire family is making him out to be the bad guy.
Bill Murray is extremely effective as Bob. He is annoying, even to the viewer. It was a perfect role for him. I tend to prefer my Richard Dreyfuss serious (take `Mr. Holland's Opus' for instance) but his comedic timing here is fine (although his beard really got on my nerves for some reason). Julie Hagerty is dreadfully annoying (maybe even more so than Bob) as Fay, Leo's wife. Charlie Korsmo (from `Hook') and Kathryn Erbe (from `Law and Order: C.I.') are believable and effective as the two Marvin children Sigmund and Anna.
This movie is all about Bob though, and Bill Murray carries it steady on his shoulders. Without Murray this film would have fallen flat, but he never allows it to. Even when its ridiculousness has reached new lows of improbability it still manages to be entertaining because Murray is so committed.
I will not say that this is a bad film (my four star rating should squash anyone thinking that) but I can't say that it is a great one. Sure, it's pure family fun, and that is always a plus, but sometimes I want a little substance, and `What about Bob?' really has none. It's one gag after another without any weight to it. In the end `What about Bob?' is your generic family slap-stick comedy that works better than most because the jokes actually land. Just don't go into this thinking you'll get anything more than passable entertainment.
Bob is a great family film What about Bob from the beginning to the end is one funny scene after another. I say funny in the sense that it's hilarious to watch, but it would be far from funny if I was Dreyfuss' character.
Bill Murray once again shows why he is one of the greatest comedic actors in cinematic history. Richard Dreyfuss plays the serious lead and does so to perfection. It's so easy to dislike him in the movie and love Murray, but like I said if I was in Dreyfuss's shoes I would have gone crazy long before he did. The supporting actors are great, and I loved the old couple who were always the thorn in Dreyfuss's side.
The movie is directed by Frank OZ, yes, the frank oz, and he shows his vision as a comedic director is nothing to laugh at.
The movie is clean with no nudity, violence, and very little language. I think most families will love this movie and watch again and again.
I feel good. I feel great. I feel wonderful. They couldn't have picked two better actors to play the main roles in this movie. Bill Murray gets most of the attention for playing Bob, but Richard Dreyfuss is also awesome as the snobby, too serious doctor who has some issues of his own to deal with. He is always ready to explode and when he does boil over it is great to watch! I recently put this movie in for my 6 year old daughter and she loves it! There are a few scenes with bad language but other than that it's a family friendly movie. I just can't help but looking at Bill Murray and laughing. He is great in every scene of this movie, and it may just be his best role ever. He received an oscar nomination for Lost In Translation, however I think that he was much better in this movie. Sure there are things in this movie that are silly and unbelievable, but it's a comedy and shouldn't be taken very seriously at all. I think this movie is great for some fun laughs for the whole family. It is the perfect movie to sit down and watch after a long week of work worries. Take a vacation... watch this movie.
GET OUT OF THE CAR!!!! One of THE most brilliant movies ever made. If you don't like this movie you HAVE no sense of humor. Dryfus is just hilarious, Bill Murray is just insane funny. The plot is one of a kind, I don't know what people are complaining about with the plot. The acting is just over the top hilarious. Start, loved it. Middle, loved it more. End, didn't want it to. One of the few Hollywood movies I wish they'd do a sequel. One of the best and most original comedies ever. A must see/ must own. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!
What about Bob Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss stars in this comedy about a patient and his relationship with his psychiatrist. The roleplay is excellent and the storyline build up to a quite entertaining ending. This witty comedy will keep you laughing throughout the story and is great entertainment. Will be well worth buying as you'll want to watch it again.
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