WHAT ABOUT BOB

US, 1991, 99 minutes, Colour.
Richard Dreyfuss, Bill Murray, Julie Hagerty, Charlie Korsmo.
Directed by Frank Oz.

What About Bob is a very amusing spoof on psychiatrists and patients. It was written by veteran writer Alvin Sargent and Oscar-winner (Dead Poets Society, Medicine Man) Tom Schulman. It was directed by Muppets veteran Frank Oz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Little Shop of Horrors, House Sitter). The film benefits from a manic performance by Bill Murray as a multiphobic. However, he is well matched by Richard Dreyfuss as the narcissistic psychiatrist who undergoes a mental and emotional collapse. Julie Hagerty is Dreyfus's wife and Charlie Korsmo (Dick Tracy, Men Don't Leave) is the young son.

The film pokes fun at hypochondria, at self-absorbed psychiatrists, at the superficial glamour of the media - but it is all larger than life and the cast act so well that they make it almost credible. There is a humorous, tongue in cheek postscript at the end to give a proper perspective to the spoof and parody.

1.Entertaining comedy? Patients, hypochondria, psychiatrists? Parody and spoof?

2.The writing talent, the director and his comedy background, the interplay of the stars?

3.The title - and who asks the question, and how? Leo, his family? The focus on Bob?

4.Bill Murray as Bob Wiley: the introduction, his wide range of phobias, awkward manner, visits to psychiatrists, his visiting Leo, the fear of the elevator, walking up the stairs, yet taking over in the office, the family pictures, the sudden bout of swearing and the special syndrome? Flattering Leo? His neediness? His response to Leo's book "Baby Steps"? Leo giving him a program of action, his going in the elevator, seeming to get some benefit? The later anguish, the phone calls, intruding on Leo's vacation? His pretending to be the police and getting the phone number and address from the exchange? His phobia about getting in the bus, his travelling despite his fears and illness? Arrival in the town and calling out for Leo? The meeting with Leo, the set-up for the appointment, Leo's phone call and rejection? The help from the old couple - and their grudge against Leo because of his taking their house? Their giving him the address, driving him to the house? The clashes with Leo, the discussions? A comic blend of the sensitive and the obtuse?

5.Leo and his narcissistic attitudes, his vanity about his book, the preparation for going on television, his secretary, the vacation? Smug - and deceived by his colleague into taking Bob? The interview, his shrewd questions? His giving Bob the book - and later charging him? His going on vacation, the relationship with his family, his reaction to Bob's phone calls, seeing Bob in town, his plan to ditch Bob? Professional ethics - as interpreted by smug Leo?

6.The portrait of Leo's family, Fay as attractive and caring, Anna and Sigmund (the Freudian names)? And the bust of Freud in his office? The clashes, Anna going sailing, Sigmund and his inability to dive?

7.Bob's arrival, friendly, the nice guy, the response of the family, hospitality? Leo and his continued antagonism, growing desperation? Bob going sailing - and being tied to the mast? Helping Sigmund and his diving after his father has let him fall in the water? Bob and his fear - yet Sigmund succeeding? Leo pushing Bob in the water, the family taking him home, drying him out, his staying for the meal, his over-praise of the meal, staying, the rain, the night, sharing the room with Sigmund, helping him swear and extravert himself? Leo reprimanding them like children?

8.Leo and his hopes, rehearsing for the TV, the unexpected early arrival? Trying to get rid of Bob, Bob hanging around? The TV people wanting Bob in the interview? Leo freezing, Bob taking over, adulation for Leo? The aftermath and the arguments? Leo and his desperation, getting out the window? The family persuading Bob to go? Leo taking him to the institution, Bob and his friendliness, telling stories and entertaining everyone? The doctor in charge sending Bob back home? Leo dumping Bob, Bob getting the lift in the truck, the flat tyre, the speeding ticket, Leo covered in mud for his birthday, everybody greeting him, his sister there, her friendship with Bob, Leo attacking?

9.Leo getting desperate, buying the gun and the ammunition, stalking Bob in the woods, tying the explosives around him? Bob and his looking at the symbolism of being tied up with the explosives, getting himself free, returning the explosives - and the collapse of the house?

10.Bob and Leo's sister, friendship, the wedding? Leo and his weaving baskets, muttering to himself, in the wheelchair at the wedding - and suddenly coming out of himself?

11.The postscript about Bob's achievement and his book, Leo suing?

12.A humorous look at human nature, psychiatrists, therapy? The pleasantly mocking tone? The media and promotion? The importance of self-help, care?