Movie-A-Day #11: What About Bob?

Mike Olbinski · August 28th, 2003, 07:51 AM

Okay, I absolutely love this movie, ranks 10th on my all-time comedies list.

Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss just have such a chemistry in this movie, I did laughing everytime I watch it.

For those who haven't seen it, Bob is kind of a whacko when the movie starts, afraid to go outside, afraid to touch anything outside, panic attacks, etc. A mental patient.

So he gets referred to Dr. Leo Marvin (psychiatrist) by his old doctor, who is overjoyed to have Bob out of his life. Leo gives Bob this book called "Baby Steps" to help him take baby steps in his life...baby steps to get to the door, baby steps to go outside, etc.

Leo then goes on vacation to Lake Winnepasaki (or whatever) with his family, and Bob can't live without knowning he's close by, so he follows him up there...and the high jinx ensue.

It's a hilarious movie, with tons of good lines and scenes.

"I'm sailing!"

"Oh I'll be quiet"....."I'll be peace!"

"I said GOOD MORNING Gill!"

Mike

Bob Chebat · August 28th, 2003, 08:02 AM

Absolutely one of my favorites. Thanks for the reminder. I will need to see this one again now. It has been a long time.

"Baby steps"

Probably Bill Murrays' best comedic performance with Stripes a close second.

Chaplin · August 28th, 2003, 08:05 AM

If you think about it, there are A LOT of comedies out there that are just plain generic (movies with David Spade and Adam Sandler come to mind)--they might be funny upon first viewing, but would you see them again? Probably not.

Bill Murray, however, is different. His comedies are marketed and give the impression that they, too, are generic, but in reality, his stuff is actually really good.

This movie is great, but it isn't my favorite Bill Murray movie. I mean, the guy has Stripes and Meatballs, not to mention the best comedy of the 1980s, Ghostbusters, on his resume. More recently, he was in Royal Tanenbaums and The Man Who Knew Too Little (vastly overrated and hilarious).

The guy just knows how to make good, memorable comedies.

PS: AND he knows when to stay away--Charlie's Angels 2, anyone?

Mike Olbinski · August 28th, 2003, 08:08 AM

You forgot Caddyshack!

I love Bill Murray, he can make me laugh over and over, which is great. And you're right Chap, those other movies don't have the staying power of Murray's.

Mike

thirty-two · August 28th, 2003, 08:24 AM

I am a huge fan of this movie as well.

In high school, I did a research project on panic attacks, and I used a clip of this movie as a more comedic view of what exactly someone feels when having a panic attack.

Bill Murray was absolutely hilarious in this movie, and I consider it one of my top 5 comedies.

FischerKing · August 28th, 2003, 08:52 AM

This is easily one of my favorite comedic movies - hilarious.

I guess I'll have to revisit my top 10 Comedy movies - I'm now curious as to how many of them star Bill Murray.

Also - let's not forget Groundhog Day - that movie is pretty funny as well.

"He never leaves - he's always there - see!!!"

Shawn

Mike Olbinski · August 28th, 2003, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FischerKing

"He never leaves - he's always there - see!!!"

Shawn

"Is this some radical new therapy?"

Mike

FischerKing · August 28th, 2003, 09:06 AM

"Oh, I see. You're saying that I'm all tied up inside."

Shawn

Chaz · August 28th, 2003, 10:07 AM

I really like this movie. Very funny, memorable stuff from both Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus. We can't forget Julie Haggerdy as the Wife.

"I'M SAAAILING!!!"

The thing about this movie that is memorable to me is my Dad couldn't stand it.
I think he is to close to the Dreyfus character and shared to much in his anxiety over Bob.

Mike Olbinski · August 28th, 2003, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SirChaz
I really like this movie. Very funny, memorable stuff from both Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfus. We can't forget Julie Haggerdy as the Wife.

"I'M SAAAILING!!!"

The thing about this movie that is memorable to me is my Dad couldn't stand it.
I think he is to close to the Dreyfus character and shared to much in his anxiety over Bob.

My dad's name is Bob, and he got free tickets to the premier, so he took me and my brother...we got What about Bob t-shirts, etc. It was a great time.

Mike

Brian in Mesa · August 28th, 2003, 10:10 AM

Hilarious movie. Love it, own it on dvd.

Look around - you should be able to get a copy for as low as $5.99 at places like Target/Wal-Mart.

FischerKing · August 28th, 2003, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian in Mesa
Hilarious movie. Love it, own it on dvd.

Look around - you should be able to get a copy for as low as $5.99 at places like Target/Wal-Mart.

I'll trade you 2 gallons of gas for it...

Shawn

mdamien13 · August 28th, 2003, 10:45 AM

Great movie. My favorite sequence is the heimlech (sp) maneuver Bob performs on Dr. Leo. Richard Dreyfuss is the perfect straight man to Bill Murray's nutjob.

Ryanwb · August 28th, 2003, 02:25 PM

The irony of this movie is that Dr Marvin is the one who needs therapy. Good flick

Jersey Girl · August 29th, 2003, 07:45 AM

Loved it! Baby steps, baby steps.