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Very well executed

That was an excellent one.

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

Blistering performances.

One of the best comedies of ALL time. It is pure classic comedy with a heartwarming storyline that can be watched over and over, without losing any lustre. Dreyfuss is surprisingly brilliant as the tense and rapidly unraveling Doctor, and Murray plays his funniest and most unforgettable character - the very charming and loveable Bob. There are some wonderful support characters too - especially the morbid son of the doctor, played perfectly by a young Charlie Korsmo. If you don't laugh at this, you don't have a soul.

My views on this film are a bit lower than most. A bit of it comes from my own experiences with psychologists and a bit comes from true masterpieces of similar films. Either way, I can't deny the wonder that the movie brings.Bill Murray stars as Bob Wiley, a role I think is his best and the one he should have received an Oscar nomination for. Bob suffers from depression, severe anxiety, and phobias towards just about everything. He is funny enough to laugh but serious enough to sympathize. His latest shrink had enough of him and caused him to quit the practise. But before the guy does, he appoints Bob to Leo Marvin, played by Richard Dreyfuss. Leo agrees to meet Bob just to see who he will be dealing with when he gets back from summer vacation. Their brief meeting gives Bob hope and Leo gives him a copy of his latest book "Baby Steps." All Leo wants is to spend some carefree time with his family at their cottage and make his guest appearance on "Good Morning America" a success. But Bob becoming overly attached threatens all of Leo's plans as he crashes the cottage. The family loves Bob but Leo grows to despise him, sending Leo on the brink of insanity.The relationship between Bob and Leo is awesome. Being with a loving family is just what Bob needs, but is annoys Leo to death. I did think that the progression of Leo into madness. Leo wants to destroy Bob once and for all. The family loving Bob was also well done. But Bob progressively getting better was something that seemed to to be the thing that the writers just wanted to get out of the way. Bob's progression into normality was all-too quick. With as many problems that Bob has, it would realistically have taken him much longer to get at the stage he's at. The one flaw that I think made this movie suffer was Bob and Leo not reconciling. Bob loves Leo, but Leo's hatred of Bob remains. I know that this isn't much of a "buddy-movie," but having Bob and Leo becoming friends would have made the movie great. That would have added morals and sentimental values. It would have made the heart grow. Check out Planes Trainer & Automobiles, Rain Man, Big Bully (I know it sucked, but the ending saved it), and 3 Women, these films are great examples of reconciling that saved the movie. Leo learning to love Bob back would've brought him out of his self-centred world and the movie would have worked as more than a comedy.So have stated why this movie is good and not great. This movie being good is enough where I wouldn't mind seeing it again.

There have been movies released before about crazy or uncontrollable characters let loose to follow a certain somebody and drive them up a wall. The most recognizable of comedies that had this kind of set up were films like Ben Stiller's dark comedy The Cable Guy (1996), Duplex (2003) or Kurt Russell's Captain Ron (1992). Both of which were about main characters' mental issues that somehow were able to get away with everything, meanwhile simultaneously annoying the living crap out of the person they cling on to. This is no different on a narrative level; the formula is all there. The only change are the leads, their positions on the social ladder and the location. The real element that will win over its viewers will be Bill Murray - if you're a big fan of him.To be realistic it is not a bad performance and Bill Murray doesn't play the worst character. However, he's still not that likable. In fact, none of the characters any actor plays is that likable. The day before Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) leaves for vacation, a fellow psychiatrist transfers one of his patients, Bob Wiley (Bill Murray) to be checked out. After visiting Dr. Marvin, it is revealed to Bob that Dr. Marvin is going on vacation. With that, Bob does everything he can to see his Dr. again for psychiatric help. Tom Schulman best known for writing Dead Poets Society (1989) and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989), penned the script for this comedy with the legendary Frank Oz directing.The strange thing is, like stated before, the execution isn't anything new. The direction is too well known - crazy person introduced to potential host, host becomes victim of crazy person's antics while nobody else believes them. Unlike The Cable Guy (1996) and Duplex (2003) which were mean spirited comedies and Captain Ron (1992) being more dimwitted than anything else, this just plays out irritating. Thankfully, Bill Murray's character wasn't written to be mean spirited, in fact his role is more innocent by nature. The problem is he just doesn't take a hint when someone says leave. With that Bill Murray comes off as more obnoxious than anything else. He's not sick-minded or a jerk, so that kind of makes him acceptable but not likable really because there's little to sympathize for. Bob could be a likable character if he was written more as a character than knows he's causing trouble but can't help it. Instead, Bob causes pain to others and doesn't even notice it. Then again though, that may be due to his dumb surrounding characters.It truly is amazing to how oblivious people can be. Since when are family members so accepting of a professional's patient to show up on vacation, sleep with them in the same room and eat at their table. Not to mention teaching their kids bad words. Doesn't that raise a couple, if not more than a couple red flags? Haven't they heard of the phrase, "don't bring your work home with you"? Dr. Marvin seems to be the only one who notices and understands that. It's weird because everyone else is so accepting of Bob and yet they don't deal with him in the same manner as Dr. Marvin. Plus, some of the smallest things Bob does everyone finds it hilarious, especially Mrs. Marvin (Julie Hagerty) who is quite annoying too. Saying "MmmmmmMMMMmmm" after every bite of food at the dinner table really stirs up that many chuckles ? It's because of their lack of concern and care for the victim that makes them unlikable as well and contain no charm. Clearly stated in the movie, one of the reasons why people like Bob is because he's fun and old man Dr. Marvin wasn't. Maybe writer Tom Schulman was trying to get the message across; that you can't live life being a stick-in-the-mud all the time (meaning relax now and then). But aside from one subplot about Dr. Marvin's son trying to learn how to dive, there is no indication of Dr. Marvin being a father who can't have fun. The only reason why nobody finds Dr. Marvin fun is because he's trying to get rid of a patient that is following him and can't get rid of. Wouldn't that make you act rotten too? These supporting characters are so thickheaded. The only actor that is funny on occasion is Richard Dreyfuss. The reason for this being that even going back to the years of Jaws (1975), when Dreyfuss got frustrated, his yelling was more comical than it was dramatic. Nonetheless, since this is a comedy, Dreyfuss is funny in a number of areas because his character has no other way of dealing with the problem (being Bob). Cinematography this time by Michael Ballhaus wasn't anything important, it doesn't showcase much. The music however, composed by Miles Goodman is alright, although it does sound very close to that of his more popular score a year later from The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992). It's not terrible but it isn't good comedy either, unless you're a true Bill Murray fan.Hardcore Bill Murray fans should have no problem with this but if you tire of formulaic host comedies where some crazy person makes everyone turn on the already label victim, it'll be a frustrating sit. It's not the worst because Richard Dreyfuss is funny and Bill Murray's role isn't mean spirited, but the whole play out is just annoying to sit through anyway.

Disheveled and germ-phobic Bill Murray (as Bob Wiley) follows disinterested and egotistical New York psychiatrist Richard Dreyfuss (as Leo Marvin) to the latter's New Hampshire vacation home. There, the mentally challenged Mr. Murray proceeds to drive Mr. Dreyfuss crazy. "There are two types of people in this world," explains Murray, "those who like Neil Diamond and those who don't." That being said, this sort of comedy is a lot like Neil Diamond. Naturally, "Bob" would be a perfect part for 1960s super-star Jerry Lewis..."What About Bob?" gives its bankable star a goofy and endearing role in a mainstream vehicle. Director Frank Oz had just successfully served up "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" for Steve Martin. Comedy screenwriter Tom Schulman aces his script. The formula calling for an "actor" co-star is filled exceptionally well by Mr. Dreyfuss. His reactions are what gives the early parts some laughs. Murray's psycho is silly; he's always better playing smart, and gets better in later scenes. Fewer extreme close-ups would have been a nice idea.***** What About Bob? (5/17/91) Frank Oz ~ Bill Murray, Richard Dreyfuss, Julie Hagerty, Charlie Korsmo