Today’s quick review: Harvey. Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart) is an amiable man with one peculiarity: his friend Harvey, a six-foot-tall talking rabbit only he can see. His delusion is an embarrassment to his older sister Veta (Josephine Hull) and her daughter Myrtle Mae (Victoria Horne). They decide to have him committed to a sanatorium, where he can get the treatment he needs. But the mishaps that follow him around make their plan easier said than done.
Harvey is a classic comedy about a man and his imaginary friend. James Stewart delivers a heartwarming performance as Elwood Dowd, a gentle man who makes friends wherever he goes. But his insistence that Harvey is real flummoxes those who get to know him, leading to the many mishaps and misunderstandings that compose the bulk of the film’s comedy. The film couples this good-natured chaos wiht a refreshing sense of decency and plenty of heart.
Elwood Dowd makes for a fascinating character. From one perspective, he is a delusional, irresponsible man who coasts on his mother’s money, embarrasses his family, and fritters away his time at bars. But he’s also a genuinely kind person who goes out of his way to improve the lives of the many people he meets. And tucked away in his dialogue are insightful comments on the human condition that give the film unexpected depths.
Watch Harvey when you’re in the mood for something light and fanciful. Though not as overtly funny as other comedies from its era, Harvey makes for a delightful watch with a few pleasant surprises. Skip it if you’re looking for a more uproarious style of comedy. For a classic comedy with sharper dialogue, try The Philadelphia Story. For one with a dash of intrigue and romance, try Charade.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for a creative premise, warm characters, and a thoughtful script.