What About Bob?

What’s the Story?

Flush with the success of his new self-help book, psychologist Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) accepts a new patient referred by a colleague. Bob Wiley (Bill Murray) turns out to be deeply neurotic, and after just one session with Dr. Marvin forms such a strong attachment that he tracks the psychologist to his vacation spot and proceeds to complicate both Dr. Marvin's life and a prestigious TV interview. To make matters worse, everyone besides Dr. Marvin sees Bob as an endearing schlub, including Dr. Marvin's family.

Is It Any Good?

WHAT ABOUT BOB? is definitive proof of Bill Murray's loopy charm, because with a different cast -- or a different slant -- this classic comedy about a kooky stalker and his hapless psychologist could have been a routine sitcom-style flick with a creepy edge. We've seen this type of high-concept setup before, with main characters who steadfastly refused to let go of the object of their affection, no matter how harshly they were shooed away. But Murray's such an affable, adorable actor that even predictable scenes have a sort of cockeyed charm.

With both Dreyfuss and Murray cast in roles that take advantage of their strong points (Dreyfuss as the straight-man-on-the-edge; Murray as an out-there eccentric), What About Bob? cashes in on their charm. The result is a goofy, good-hearted comedy that's gentle enough for kids yet witty enough for parents.