It is a film that embodies the story of a successful psychologist who lost his mind after being traced by one of his patients in moments. Now, it seems that the psychologist will face a narcissistic man manipulated by obsessive-compulsive disorder, during his family vacation in which things are turned upside down.
This cruel but effective black comedy violates credibility at almost every turn, but the concept itself is so strong hat it winds up working pretty well anyway.
Above all else, What About Bob? addresses the way many a patient feels when his psychiatrist has the nerve to go away without giving a thought to his problems. Perhaps it is just one desperate cosmic cry for help. Then again, maybe it's a threat.
Its less is more approach makes for a brilliantly constructed plot in which Murray becomes more and more obnoxious and Dreyfuss is gradually driven to distraction by his eccentric little ways.
With Dreyfuss and Murray on top form, not even the familiar plotline -- uptight rich person meets free-wheeling poor person and learns about life -- can prevent this lunatic comedy from being funny.
Somehow, Mr. Dreyfuss maintains his sound comic timing even when Frank Oz's antic direction calls for hand-waving hysteria.
FulvueDrive-in.com
February 18, 2006
A delightful annoying-person comedy made even more amusing by the fact that Murray and Dreyfuss couldn't stand one another in real life.
Common Sense Media
January 02, 2011
Appealingly silly romp for kids and adults.
TIME Magazine
October 05, 2008
Murray, with his curious blend of pathos and aggressiveness, is terrific, and so is an acutely uptight Dreyfuss, never once copping a plea for our sympathy.
