Sunday, April 22, 2012

What About Bob? (1991)


This brand of comedy fills my soul with laughter.  It’s hysterical while avoiding curse words as the butt of the humor.  I’ve never been a huge fan of that kind of comedy.  I don’t know if there are many movies out there that can make me bust a gut so consistently throughout an entire movie.  Bill Murray is hilarious in every way whether it’s delivering a line or through some physical action however slight it may be.  Richard Dreyfuss compliments him like nobody else could with anger and hostility as the movie progresses.   It’s a story of a man with nearly every phobia in the book.  He eventually drives his psychiatrist out of his mind while appearing good-hearted.  It’s literally a laugh riot and it should be fun going over it now.  I love this movie and am going to cover it thoroughly.  It’s engrained in my very DNA.  I’d advise to be prepared for a lengthy read.  If you haven’t seen this movie you should stop now and go watch it.  It won’t hurt you to read if you haven’t because a comedy is for laughs so spoilers aren’t as decimating.

This should be everybody's morning mantra.
                The movie begins with a man named Bob Wiley (Bill Murray) repeating, “I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful”, as he massages his temples as he is waking up.  It’s clear something is not quite right with this guy already.  He does his morning routine of getting ready for the day and says to his pet goldfish “Good morning, Gil. I said, good morning, Gil.”  I get a slight awkward feeling as he says it twice as if he expects the fish to respond in some way.  Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) gets introduced to the movie next as he receives a phone call from a colleague who currently has Bob as his patient.  His colleague informs he is quitting the business for awhile and is referring a patient to him.  Leo agrees after minor convincing that is.  His colleague is extremely pleased after the phone call and says, “Free.”  It’s very clear Bob is a serious problem but how bad can it be?

"When I go out I get.. weird."
                Bob is set to go meet his new psychiatrist but seems to have a bit of trouble simply leaving his apartment.  He psyches up so to speak and at last opens his door to the hallway.  He side steps down the narrow path and uses a tissue to open the door to go outside.  We’re definitely seeing signs of a troubled individual here.  The tissue use cracks me up though!  Meanwhile Leo informs his secretary to schedule his new patient for an interview when he comes back from vacation he will soon depart on.  The secretary informs him he’s already called a couple times and is the next appointment.  Leo shrugs it off as he seems set for relaxation soon enough.  Bob finally manages to get to the building Leo works in and faces an elevator challenge.  He uses his tissue to press the button but when time to enter the elevator he backs off.  Now he’s troubled with small spaces it seems.  This guy is turning out to be quite the character.  He hoofs it all the way to the 44th floor!  He comes into the waiting room gasping for air and sits on a small side table.  It’s a funny little gag as he’s probably too skeptical to sit on the chairs other people use!

The true "Clash of the Titans!"
                The two meet for an interview type of session on the final afternoon Leo is in town.  Bob immediately sees Leo’s family pictures on display.  He tries to guess their names claiming he’s really good at it.  Who does that especially to someone they’ve just met?  It’s here where Leo let’s Bob call him by either Leo or Dr. Marvin.  Bob describes his problems “I get dizzy spells, nausea, cold sweats, hot sweats, fever blisters, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, blurred vision, involuntary trembling, dead hands, weak ankles, twitching, fainting spells, numb lips..”  He also pretends to have other ailments to clarify that he doesn’t actually have them.  He rattles those off as Leo asks him what he’s truly afraid of “What if my heart stops beating or I can't find a bathroom and my bladder explodes?  You ever heard of Tourette's syndrome.  You know, where you involuntarily shout profanity?”  My favorite is the Tourette’s syndrome episode.  He suddenly shouts, “Sh!t-eating son-of-a-b!tch!  Bastard, douche-bag, twat, numb-nuts, d!ckhead, B!TCH!”  Dr. Marvin takes it all well considering he is the top psychiatrist in the country at the moment, with an ego to match I might add.  It’s funny when the secretary hears Bob yelling obscenities she looks up briefly then goes back to work.  I guess that’s common in this world.  Bob finally fakes cardiac arrest claiming if he can fake it he doesn’t have it.  That’s a logical statement if I ever heard one.

Going down, 44 floors worth.
                Leo decides to ask Bob if he’s married and whether he’d like to talk about it.  Bob mentions his ex-wife loved Neil Diamond and that’s why he broke up with her.  Leo suggests that all of Bob’s problems were the cause of the failed marriage and Bob suddenly feels that Leo can help him.  Leo gives Bob his new book titled “Baby Steps” which describes setting small simple goals for you each day.  Bob clings to it and goes so far as to actually take baby sized steps everywhere he goes.  What a nut, its classic though, absolutely hysterical!  When Bob discovers his new savior, Leo, will be gone on vacation for a month he frets it very much.  After Bob is gone Leo gets informed from his secretary that Good Morning America will be interviewing him while he’s on vacation at Lake Winnipesaukee.  Bob approaches the elevator with caution and decides to baby steps his way in.  He looks calm at first then shouts; “AHHHHHH!” after the doors are closed.  I feel sorry for the other people inside!

Even he can't believe he's getting away with it.
                Bob is crying while watching the Brady bunch, showing his sadness for not having a family perhaps?  He tries to get patched through to Leo via the operator and succeeds claiming it’s an emergency which it’s clearly not.  He bumble’s words while Leo is frustrated with him for lying about needing to talk.  Leo informs him not to call again and go seek help elsewhere like he was instructed at the office.  Bob is mentally a mess at this point and very attaching.  He does learn the operators name to be Betty which comes into play soon.  Bob has a prostitute pretend to be Leo’s sister so he can get through to talk.  Leo is infuriated and tells Bob never to call back.  Bob walks stiff legged while saying, “That was not smart.  That was not smart.”  He really goes to some length to get a hold of him that I don’t think I’d think of.  Memorizing Leo’s family pictures and names came in handy after all, Bob you clever cat.  Bob gets his greatest idea yet as he goes to the operator’s office claiming to be a homicide detective, he’s in a trench coat and everything!  He says Bob Wiley committed suicide and left a note mentioning Betty.  Betty reveals herself and Bob mutters, “So you’re Betty.”  It’s great to see his reaction when he sees who he has been talking with so many times.  He calmly squeezes the address out of the ladies and quickly departs.  Betty calls and informs Leo that his patient Bob Wiley has committed suicide.  Leo shrugs it off and tells his wife in bed to not let it spoil their vacation.

Hit him, for all that is holy HIT HIM!
                Walking to and fro, back and forth Bob tries to force his way mentally to get on a bus to go see Leo while on vacation.  The bus driver, Wing, gets a tad annoyed while commenting to Bob, “We have a baby schedule to keep.”  She’s obviously been dealing with him for some time now to know about his Baby Steps book he holds onto everywhere he goes.  Bob boards the bus and does his trademark side step down the aisle.  He tries to avoid any contact then sits down and briefly talks to a man, “Hi, I’m Bob.  Will you knock me out, please?  Just hit me in the face.”  Its ridiculous how afraid of being on a bus makes him to request such a notion from a stranger.  Later on the bus ride he pulls out a barf bag and heaves into it.  He looks up to stay simply, “False alarm.”  Can you imagine being around this guy?

Whining baby needs his bottle.
                Leo and his family are shopping for groceries to feed the TV show that will be visiting shortly when Bob’s bus just so happens to pull up nearby.  He hurries out of the bus and randomly starts shouting, “Dr. Leo Marvin!”  What a plan Bob!  He has no clue where Leo is he just decides to yell.  Have you been thinking of that the whole ride here?  Leo tries to rush his family into their vehicle but gets caught by Bob.  He continues to yell Leo’s name as he approaches the family.  He says, “Oh, the fam” as he looks toward them as if they’re some sort of rare animal, it’s quite hilarious.  Leo drags him away around the building telling Bob how awful it was to follow him here, not to mention stating he thought Bob was dead.  Bob is begging for a session but Leo promptly refuses.  Bob begins to get very socially awkward by yelling, “Gimmie, gimmie, I need, I need” to rouse Leo into a talk about his problems.  Leo agrees but under the condition Bob buy a bus ticket home and wait in a nearby café for a phone call.  Leo is actually going to call him in two hours probably to make sure Bob isn’t following him again.  I’d be very uncomfortable in his position I’ll admit.  I would also be thinking what did I get myself into?  

                In the café the old couple that run the place named the Guttman’s watch Bob chanting, “Baby step to 4 o’clock” as he stares at a wall clock with his pet fish dangling from his neck in a jar.  That would have to be an odd sight for the locals.  A man briefly tries to use the pay phone Bob is semi guarding when Bob shouts for him to back off as he’s waiting for a call from Dr. Leo Marvin.  The Guttman’s suddenly jump at the idea of taking this crazy looking guy to Leo’s very house!  I take it they see it as a way to torment Leo since he bought their dream house overlooking the lake in their town.  It’s a humorous scene as you see the vivid character of the couple brought into play.  Leo has some enemies out there and they’re bringing Bob to him.

Get the fxck away from me Bob!  I'll blow your @$$ up!
                Leo and his son Siggy are on the dock near their house.  Leo is trying to teach him how to dive claiming it’s as important to see him dive as to be on Good Morning America.  Who says stuff like that to their young child?  The lesson doesn’t go well as Siggy chickens out and heads back inside.  Leo talks with his wife Fay on why Siggy won’t dive yet.  Apparently this has been going on annually.  As Leo attempts to call the café he sees Bob in the doorway staring at him.  He again chides Bob how inappropriate it is to come here.  To Bob’s defense, “Don’t be mad, the Guttman’s brought me.”  Mrs. Guttman yells from the truck, “Burn in Hell Dr. Marvin!”  Things aren’t shaping up too well for Leo, ouch.  Bob kindly intrudes into the home to meet Fay and Anna, Leo’s daughter.  They seem to generally like him at first impression but Bob’s a likable guy honestly.  Leo invites Bob to take a walk outside with him asking him what everything around him means.  Bob has no clue and is told its vacation.  Leo tries to get rid of Bob by writing a unique prescription for him to take.  It’s simply to take a vacation from his problems.  Bob is amazed and skips off in bewilderment.  “A vacation from my problems” Bob exclaims!

World's worst shirt?
                The next morning I believe, Leo and the family are in the main room discussing how to set up the place for the interview.  Leo is being particularly anal about it.  He really needs to take a chill pill but then if he did would this movie be as good as it is?  Bob starts ringing a bell outside and Leo surprisingly finds him at their front door.  Bob was kind as he brought weeds he thought to be flowers perhaps to Fay as a gesture of thanks for the hospitality previously.  When you see the grass and weeds in his hand it cracks you up as to how genuine he’s being.  He bursts out with, “This isn’t an appointment!  I’m stopping by, I haven’t figured out how to get food yet but I’m staying with the Guttman’s, let’s get the friendship thing going.”  Bob is of course misunderstanding Leo’s plan to take a vacation from his problems by actually taking a vacation with him.  I also love, absolutely love, the part about how he’s not sure how he’s going to get food yet!  As Bob leaves Leo brings the family in for a close chat telling them all to not talk to Bob although they seem to not take him seriously.  They feel Bob’s a nice guy and harmless. 
   
                Anna sets off in the only vehicle the family has at the vacation house to go sailing with some friends.  She drives down the road a ways to see Bob running frantically all over the road.  He apparently freaked out about being alone.  She asks him to get in for a ride and he eventually agrees.  He busts out his tissue to use for the door when asking Anna how many people use this door.  When discovered just the family does he puts the tissue in his pocket and gets in.  Bob is on the road to recovery, possibly?  A vacation from his problems indeed!  Anna talks with Bob about stresses in life and they relate in some ways.  They mainly discuss how Leo impacts their lives in different ways.  She asks him to go sailing with her and he obliges.

Set fire and sink the boat while you have a chance!
                As they’re sailing Bob is screaming, “I’m sailing!” over and over.  It’s also shown that he’s tied to the mast with a life preserver on.  What a nut!  It’s incredibly funny though as Bob feels he’s conquering his problems, perhaps he is?  Meanwhile Leo is teaching Siggy to dive again and mistakenly drops him into the water as he sees Bob sailing by shouting.  Siggy gets pissed and calls his father a murderer?  I’m not sure on that one but oh well.  Leo marches right over to the sailboat as it docks dragging Anna away from Bob.  Bob has some more nonsense to shout to Leo, “Isn’t this a breakthrough, that I’m a sailor?  I sail.  I sail now.  Ahoy!”  Leo and Anna continue to walk into the woodland area.  It’s another hilarious moment to see Bob tied up yelling that nonsense.  Leo breaks out a hand puppet of his own likeness to talk with Anna; he gives her one as well of her own likeness to talk back.  It seems it’s a way they can communicate on a therapeutic level.  Anna claims Bob is more fun than her dad.  Leo is crushed.  They head home leaving the vehicle at the pier.  Will that come into play later?  Probably not what am I yammering on about?

Bob's not a bad diver.  Good form.
                Leo goes to his wife Fay for comfort back at the house as he realizes he has just had mishaps with both his children.  He believes Bob is turning them against him somehow as he mutters along.  Fay consoles him a bit to get him calmed down.  The real fun is Bob strolling on by and helping Siggy with his diving.  “I sailed on my first try.  The boat did most of the work, that’s my secret” Bob’s confession to Siggy in a silly manner in which Siggy uses to get Bob to try diving.  Bob is utterly terrified to even remotely get to the edge of the dock, so Siggy eventually dives for the first time with Bob’s help.  Leo sees it from the window and gets infuriated!  He runs out screaming, “I’ll take it from here” and pushes Bob right into the lake.  The Guttman’s from their boat, which they spend a lot of time in watching the house, shake their heads in dismay at Leo.  Leo replies with, “I had every right to buy this house!”  The family turns against Leo a bit as Leo is forced to admit he made a mistake by pushing Bob into the lake.  They want Leo to apologize to Bob however.  Leo doesn’t like that idea.  He explains Bob is a patient time and time again but his family basically view Bob as a fun guy.  Leo just wants to have a good time with his family on vacation without patients lingering around, Bob.  The family makes Leo invite Bob to dinner which he is not pleased about in the least considering Good Morning America will be here in the morning.  Bob however couldn’t be happier.

Let me die! Let me die!  -Dr. Leo Marvin
                Later that night at dinner Bob is rather enjoying the meal while making “Mmm Hhm Mmm” sounds as he takes bites of this and that.  Leo become severely agitated bursting out, “Will you please stop that?”  It would seem a quiet dinner outside on the patio is all Leo wanted except Bob has added annoying sounds to the mix.  He really likes Fay’s cooking shouldn’t Leo be happy about that?  Bob pesters for a salt substitute so Leo reluctantly goes inside to get it.  Bob goes on saying referring to Leo’s book, “This book is going to do a lot of good to a lot of people, I’m walking proof of that.”  Leo in the kitchen hears it and coughs while suppressing a laugh but ends up choking on a piece of chicken he had in his mouth.  Its obvious Leo doesn’t agree that his book is helping Bob but isn’t it?  Plus I don’t think Bob has read beyond the title cover if you ask me.  He just baby steps everything!  I never actually see him read it but that’s probably what makes it even funnier.  Bob tries giving the Heimlich maneuver to Leo but does a terrible job.  The process ends up with Bob kneeing Leo in the back until he spits out the chicken.  “Get him off me!  Get him off me!”  Leo shouts in frustration as Bob keeps pounding on his back.  A crack of thunder roars through the house and Bob shudders in fear.  He’s also afraid of thunder, add that to the list.
 
Bob can stay with me, my blankets are so warm. -Anna
                Everyone is cleaning up the dishes, save for Leo who is staring at the downpour of rain at the patio.  They’re tossing around dishes and singing the song “We’re singing in the rain.”  They appear to be too light-hearted for their own good at this moment.  “I’m strolling through the kitchen with a bowl full of chicken and I’ll put in Leo.. I mean Dr. Marvin’s refrigerator.”  Bob says as he swoops through the room.  He know must call Leo, Dr. Marvin since at dinner Leo said that’s what he likes to be called in his home as opposed to just Leo in his office.  Can we sense a bit of anxiety from the good doctor at this point?  I do believe its building up.  “I don’t mean to be a party pooper but I think it’s time for Bob to sing his way home!”  Leo exclaims as he’s clearly feed up with this nonsense of Bob still lingering about.  His family mentions it’s raining and Bob couldn’t possibly walk home so Leo offers to drive him.  Uh oh Leo you wanted to leave the vehicle at the pier now you’re stuck with Bob.  Leo loses it again and shouts, “He can borrow my slicker!”  Bob ends up staying over as the family refuses to turn him away in the rain.

                Bob bunks with Siggy for the night while teaching the poor kid about Tourette’s syndrome.  That’s of course after Siggy scared Bob about death.  Siggy has some sort of weird fixation about it.  Meanwhile Leo and Fay are discussing the problem of having Bob stay over on the eve of Good Morning America arriving the next day.  “Can’t you see this man is crazy?  He faked suicide!”  Leo tries to convince his wife but she seems too naïve for her own good.  Leo can’t find his toothbrush and is using his finger as a substitute.  It’s funny I’ve done that as a kid.  Leo hears the cursing from his room and barges into Siggy’s room.  He scolds them that he needs sleep for the next day and wants, “Peace and quiet.”  Bob in a childlike manner says he’ll be quiet while Siggy laughs he’ll be peace.  Also Leo wants Bob gone before the camera crew shows up in the morning.  What a testy man he truly is but at this point in the movie it’s become masterful to watch the two men play off each other.
Fay looks like a freaking train wreck!

                Early the next morning Leo attempts to wake up Bob.  He shakes him in the bed and even screams, “Cocka-doodle-doo!”  He finally gives up exasperated when the alarm clock goes off and Bob perks right up.  He gives a tired smile as he sees everyone around at that point looking at him.  It’s quite ridiculous but it somehow fits in perfectly with his character.  Leo rushes Bob out of the house but Good Morning America is a bit early and discovers Bob is a patient of Leo’s.  Leo drags Bob aside and tells him to make up an excuse that he must leave.  Leo you’re cold-heartedness is astonishing!  Bob fails to inform the show in a proper manner that he can’t be on by simply stating Leo didn’t want him on.  Smooth Bob, you’re not as unaware as people think you are.

Bob 1 - Leo 0
                The show goes on with Bob joining Leo on the air.  Leo was already extremely nervous beforehand but with Bob there too he is a wreck.  He bombs terribly while Bob shines to the questions asked by the host.  He even calls Bob, “Boob”, mistakenly even though Bob doesn’t mind the mix up.  Bob goes on to add, “Do you know that he had me sleep here last night?  In his jamies, using his toothbrush!”  Leo looks at Bob at that last part in complete shock.  He now knows why he couldn’t find his new toothbrush.  Bob does nothing but praise Leo for his instant progress from the book baby steps.  Leo really takes a turn for the worse after the show is over and everyone leaves.  The interview scene is possibly the funniest moment in the movie but it’s terribly difficult to pinpoint due to the high level of consistency the humor in this movie has.
TESTIFY!

                Leo is applauded by his family and Bob for being such a great psychiatrist.  Leo is very visibly frustrated and says calmly, “Get out.”  Bob ignores it and says, “No, you get out.”  He obviously doesn’t take what Leo says literally.  Leo yells, “GET OUT!  You’ve ruined my life!”  He slams the door shut in Bob’s face.  Fay thinks Leo is overreacting and questions his motives.  She is so calming is almost disgusting sometimes.  Does anything enrage this woman?  Leo’s family then questions why he threw Bob out.  He retorts with, “You think he’s gone?  He’s not gone.  That’s the whole point!  He’s never gone!”  He then whips open the front door to see a standing Bob mutter, “Is this some radical new therapy?”  An enraged Dr. Marvin exclaims, “YOU SEE!”  I take it back perhaps this is the funniest moment?  It’s all quite too much to choose!

I can read your mind!  I am not on drugs!
                Bob is in for a car ride with Leo and he’s extremely excited.  Leo states he wants to pay back Bob for all the time he’s spent with him.  They drive off alone.  Bob is curious to know where they’re going and Leo doesn’t hesitate to say, “Intensive psychotherapy.”  Bob gets even more excited, I’m not sure why but he’s with Leo so I guess that makes him so delighted.  When they arrive Dr. Tomsky is waiting to meet Bob.  It appears Leo and Dr. Tomsky are old friends.  She, Dr. Tomsky, has Bob admitted but tells Leo without staff corroboration she can only hold him 24 hours.  Leo is so erratic at this point that he doesn’t think that’ll be a problem at all.  A bit later Bob is talking with the entire staff.   “It reminds me of my favorite poem, which is, roses are red, violets are blue, I'm a schizophrenic and so am I!"  He goes on to tell another joke.  “The doctor draws two circles and says "What do you see?" the guy says "Sex."  So the doctor draws trees, "What do you see?" the guy says "sex". The doctor draws a car, owl, "Sex, sex, sex". The doctor says to him "You are obsessed with sex", he replies "Well you're the one drawing all the dirty pictures!"  I don’t want to overdo it with the quotes but it’s so hilarious!  Leo gets called back to pick up Bob since the staff doesn’t think he’s crazy.
Classic moment

                Leo gets very unnerved and argues with Dr. Tomsky about being on vacation.  She tries to tell him to get a handle on things and to not let his patient be so near him.  He describes Bob as human crazy glue!  It’s a perfect description of Bob too.  If I were an office supply I’d probably be something lame like a ruler.  Leo is forced to take Bob back which pushes him a bit closer to the edge.  That’s right Leo is unraveling faster than a falling ball of yarn.  On the drive back to the house Bob doesn’t stop talking.  He tries to get a time table set up throughout the week that he and Leo can have one on one session’s.  Leo having enough slams on the breaks and walks around to Bob’s side.  He opens the door and shouts a muffled, “GET OUTTA THE CAR!”  This is definitely my favorite one liner in the movie; it’s delivered perfectly as Leo is absolutely lost it!  Bob gets out and as Leo burns rubber and takes off Bob asks, “Is this isolation therapy?”  Get a clue Bob, he doesn’t like you!  He always thinks in such a positive way it’s almost unbelievable but yet it’s so hilarious in that moment.
Did a diaper explode?

                As Leo drives faster down the road he gets pulled over by a state trooper.  Leo is even more annoyed as he gets a ticket.  Bob passes by in a pickup truck holding up 7 fingers asking the policeman to have Leo home by then.  Leo is clearly pissed to see Bob yet again driving him crazy!  He snatches the ticket from the policeman, which is a wonder he didn’t get reprimanded further, and drives in reverse over a sign puncturing his tire.  Luckily the policeman had driven away already.  Leo get’s out and says in a mutter, “Way to go Bob, I wrecked my car.”  He’s blaming Bob for this?  Uh oh the Dr. is worsening by the scene.  A car drive’s by splashing mud all over Leo.  Leo stiffens up disgusted and says, “Son-of-a-b!tch and Bob!”  As the ending draws nearer it seems the scenes just pick up in hilarity.  I somehow feel a bit sorry for Leo though.  At least in this moment, getting a flat tire always sucks no matter where you are but to get sprayed with mud is icing on the cake you just don’t need.
Leo are you on the crack? -Lily

                Kicking the doors open to a darkened house Leo shouts, “I’m home!”  He meanders to the backyard to be surprised with a gathering of all his friends for his birthday.  He suddenly calms and is happy to see everyone.  Lily, his sister, even made the trip all the way from Chicago and he says in a shocked excitement, “Lily!”  Everything seems to be really turning around for our Dr. until Bob emerges and says, “We’re all here for you Dr. M.”  Leo erupts and exclaims, “Get away from my sister!”  He jumps onto Bob and they wrestle around.  It appears Bob may have bested Leo in the brawl as Leo is resting in bed later.  A doctor explains Leo has been under a lot of pressure lately including that interview on TV which didn’t go well.  He tries to write a prescription until Bob intercedes with his own recommendation.  Lily seems impressed with Bob and obviously shows a liking toward him.  Bob has so much medicine experience I’m not totally surprised he’d know what would be best in this situation anyway.  It’s a short scene but swiftly intertwines Leo escaping out a window with Bob and Lily making a connection.  It’s really all you need for a comedy though.

                Leo breaks into the general store they bought groceries from way back at the beginning of this never-ending review.  He contemplates which mode of weapon will be most suitable for killing Bob.  Yes, you guessed right, he has crossed the line and thinks the only way to be free of Bob is to kill him.  It’s simple, tasteless and over the edge, I like it.  He snatches a rifle and explosives.  Meanwhile Leo’s family asks Bob to go.  He is shocked and in awe.  They explain that Leo is very unhappy with him for some reason and it would be if he were gone when Leo woke up.  They still think Leo is in bed?  Who is supposed to be checking on him?  Where is the organization?  Bob says, “You want me go?”  He is saddened a bit but reluctantly goes after a brief delay.  Go away Bob, take a hint for once!

I love these teasing games!
                The family eventually notices Leo is gone and all head out in the truck looking for him.  Leo runs into Bob walking in the dark on the road.  Leo at gun point forces Bob deeper into the forest away from the calling cries of his family driving by.  Leo ties Bob to an old tree and puts 20lbs. of gun powder around his neck set with a timer.  Isn’t 20lbs. a tad overdoing it?  I mean that much could blow up a house right?  Leo calls it death therapy, a guaranteed cure!  Bob believes it and thinks the rope knots reflect emotionally being tied up inside.  Bob asks if Leo will take care of Gil for him.  “I’ll feed him until he’s big and fat then I’ll eat him Bob!”  Leo exclaims as he runs off.

                In a short time Leo is celebrating back home by the lake outside in the dark that he will be rid of Bob.  However Bob gets free and runs back to the house without anyone noticing.  He carries the explosives with him unknowingly that there actually a real bomb!  He sets them inside without a scene to show it but you’ll know he did soon enough.  Leo’s family shows up to comfort him and explain they sent Bob away to be together.  They’re all outside near the dock when Bob comes walking toward them with the birthday cake singing, “You’re death therapy cured me you genius.”  Leo is on the brink of a breakdown when he asks Bob what he did with the bags around his neck.  “There in, the house.”  Bob slowly replies.               
Glorious finale!

                What you get for the better part of the movie is Bob drawing close to Dr. Marvin’s family in a good spirited way while Dr. Marvin grows angrier by the scene as Bob will not go away.  One of my favorite moments is when Bob is yelled at to leave by Dr. Marvin and gets the doors of the house slammed in his face!  KABOOM!  The house goes up in flames while the Guttman’s cheer from their boat on the lake.  Do the Guttman’s always stalk Leo when he’s on vacation in their town?  Their old and have no other cares but to torment Leo so why not?  Leo cracks and become silent for some time.  The ending shows Bob and Lily getting married.  Leo is there but his mind is broken, he makes one last effort and stands up screaming, “NO!” to object the marriage.  Bob goes on to write a bestseller, “Death Therapy” wherein Leo sues him for the rights. 

                The movie is one long laugh train; I’d have to type the entire script out for you to give it the justice it truly deserves.  I really hope this lengthy review can help you appreciate how amazing this movie truly is.  I have one last bit of intrigue to leave you with though.  I have some friends who were fortunate enough to view a screening of this movie with Richard Dreyfuss on hand a few years back.  Mr. Dreyfuss was seemingly drunk and showed much hatred toward Bill Murray.  If this is the case then that may be what made the acting performances of the two so incredible!

                Rating: 10 of 10

I’ve used my own images for this review and hope you find them suitable.
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