What About Bob? (1991) - 7/10

Wait, Yoda made a comedy film with Bill Murray and the guy from Jaws?

This was an unexpected but pleasant surprise to come across on the watchlist. It may not have suddenly thrust itself into my all-time favorites, but finding these types of films is a big part of why I even wanted to start this project.

I don't have a ton to talk about in the intro, so let's just jump right into the rubric.

1. Acting

Bill Murray is our titular star here and he is... well, Bill Murray.

Murray is just one of those actors that you can put into any film and (1) let him do his thing and (2) never expect him to really be anybody but Bill Murray. I guess that's my way of saying Murray isn't doing much acting; he is just performing as himself. It's not a knock. It's an acknowledgment that some people simply have the ability to make things funny and joyous. With Bob, Murray does a great job being the thorn in Dreyfuss' side and making Bob equal parts charming and completely annoying.

However, I think the real star here is Richard Dreyfuss. For this film to work, you need a solid straight man who can do more than simply serve as a deadpan foil to the comedic lead. In fact, the further the movie goes on, the more Dreyfuss lets go of his staid persona and leans into the manic episode that dealing with Bob brings on. I think his progression throughout the performance and his agility in navigating the character relationship are why this works so well. There are also plenty of reports that Dreyfuss and Murray absolutely did not get along during filming, and it really bleeds into the final product in a way that makes it stronger.

Outside of the main duo, I like a lot of what the supporting cast brings to the table. Both Kathryn Erbe and Charlie Korsmo do great work in early roles, and Julie Hagerty unsurprisingly shines as Dreyfuss' wife.

Also, a special little shoutout to Tom Aldredge and Susan Willis for stealing every scene they appear in as the disgruntled Guttmans.

2. Cinematography

It's a breezy early-'90s comedy, so there isn't anything too impressive happening from a shooting-style perspective. It looks and feels exactly like its age.

What I do like, though, is that the camera feels very active and moves around a lot with the characters. This allows for longer takes that let Murray and company do their thing, bounce off one another, and avoid being burdened by excessive coverage or constant cutting.

3. Production/Costume Design

I mean, was there really any other option besides filming on location for this movie?

The various locales on display are visually appealing and do a great job capturing the small-town, summer-camp vibe that New Hampshire tends to have. The sets, real-world locations, and costumes all do a great job capturing that feeling and fit well within the context of the film.

4. Writing

Much like the cinematography, there's not a lot here that most audience members would find surprising or novel.Nevertheless, the relatively straightforward plot does a great job executing what it sets out to do. 

Bob, a charismatic, eccentric, and problematic mental patient, comes into contact with an overly serious and stalwart workaholic with a slightly too-big ego. The clear contrast between the characters drives a series of farcical events that eventually culminate in some mutual change. For Bob, things mostly work out. For Leo, they largely don't. The film isn't trying to extend itself beyond that simple conceit, and it works great.

As for the quality of the comedy, I think all of the scenarios and jokes land very well. I imagine Murray improvised at least a little bit, but the framework is where I think the real strength of the comedy lies.

I also like that the movie is willing to go completely off the rails toward the end. There's likely a different version of this film where it starts pulling back on its outlandishness during the final act in order to arrive at a cleaner resolution between Bob and Leo. But Oz and company smartly avoid that temptation and instead lean into the craziness.

5. Sound Design

Fitting for the movie, but largely forgettable.

The soundtrack is breezy and mostly consists of tones and chords that match the light comedic vibe of the film.

6. Editing

At just over ninety minutes, this film is a quick in-and-out adventure that doesn't overstay its welcome. I have very few complaints.

7. Visual Effects

Nothing really to note here.

8. Originality or Strength of Adaptation

This movie felt very familiar while I was watching it, but I couldn't quite place why.

Then I saw someone compare Bob and Leo's relationship to Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, which immediately turned the light bulb on. Personally, I'd go with Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd as my point of reference, but that Looney Tunes sensibility is exactly what sits at the heart of the film and is likely why it remains so broadly appealing.

This film also feels like a direct inspiration for 1996's The Cable Guy, just with a lighter and more family-friendly personality.

All of this is to say that the movie feels original at times while also drawing inspiration from a long lineage of "frenemy" comedies that came before it.

9. Stunt Coordination

I don't have a ton of notes specifically regarding stunts, but I will absolutely take the opportunity to point out the very impressive explosion at the end of the film.

It is clearly practical—likely a small-scale model—but feels almost shockingly realistic and slightly out of place in the movie. This is probably more fitting for the Production Design or Visual Effects section, but I'm too lazy to go back now.

10. Direction

Frank Oz will always be Yoda to me, but I'm learning to appreciate his varied and interesting filmography. A few more of his films are on the watchlist, and I'm excited to see what else he has to offer.

In the end, though, I don't see anything particularly special about the direction other than a very clear understanding of the material and a professional execution of it.

Legacy / Final Thoughts

Like I said, this may not have catapulted itself to the top of my all-time list, but it is a solid and seemingly underappreciated '90s comedy gem.

I also have reason to suspect that this film was inspirational for a lot of comedy movies that followed in its wake over the next decade and beyond. The Cable Guy is the most obvious example, as the two closely parallel each other, but there have been plenty of great "frenemy" movies since then like Anger Management, Due Date, and Meet the Parents which all feature similar Bob/Leo dynamics to varying degrees.

Anyway, Thanks for the laughs Yoda.