Today’s quick review: What About Bob?. Just before his vacation to Lake Winnipasaukee with his family, esteemed psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) makes the mistake of seeing a new patient: Bob Wiley (Bill Murray), a friendly, clingy man with a laundry list of phobias. In spite of Leo’s best efforts, Bob follows Leo on vacation in search of therapy, where he befriends Leo’s family (Julie Hagerty, Charlie Korsmo, and Kathryn Erbe).
What About Bob? is a comedy starring Richard Dreyfuss and Bill Murray. The movie pairs a self-important psychiatrist with an aggressively friendly patient who just won’t go away. The clash of personalities drives Leo to the brink of sanity while convincing Bob that his doctor is not just a genius, but his friend. What About Bob? has the light tone and simple comedy of a good family pick but lacks the cleverness of Murray’s best work.
What About Bob? has a simple gimmick, and it sticks to it. Bob has three main traits: his personable nature, his fear of everything, and his extreme clinginess. Bill Murray is a good fit for the part. Although Bob Wiley doesn’t give him as much flexibility as his more iconic roles, Murray’s warmth and playfulness are the driving force behind the film’s comedy. For his part, Richard Dreyfuss makes for a suitably irritable foil.
But in spite of a capable pair of leads, What About Bob? lacks depth. The comedy is all variations on the same routine: Bob ingratiating himself with those around him while Leo gets ever more frustrated. To the film’s credit, this is a reliable source of humor, especially once Leo’s family get in on the act. But the novelty eventually wears thin, and those hoping for a twist or evolution to the premise will be disappointed.
How much you get out of What About Bob? will depend on what you expect out of it. Those looking for a fun, superficial family comedy that makes use of Bill Murray’s talents will find exactly that. Those hoping for a sharp, unpredictable comedy may want to look elsewhere. For a similar flavor of Bill Murray comedy, try The Man Who Knew Too Little. For a comedic pairing in a similar vein, try The In-Laws or A Shot in the Dark.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for decent humor that lacks variety.