Comments on: Number 19 http://www.rewallen.com/2010/02/28/number-19/ Quick, quick, good hands! Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:50:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: andrew http://www.rewallen.com/2010/02/28/number-19/comment-page-1/#comment-7007 andrew Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:58:04 +0000 http://www.rewallen.com/?p=587#comment-7007 I agree with your reading of the movie, but I think there's deeper material beneath it. You point out the irony of the shrink not being able to see what's happening with his kids, and you're right, but why can't he? There has to be a reason. And in a good movie like this, that reason will likely be provided to us with a foil, an opposite like Bob who forces us to ponder on Leo's nature by comparison. I submit that Leo is emotionally stagnated, desiring control of all elements of his life to an unnatural degree. I suspect he has trust issues, and fears that if he is honest with people, they will disappoint him. Bob is a man who abandons control, and in so doing he forces Leo into a miserable self-reflection by giving his family things they have desperately needed from their actual patriarch for years. This is the real meat of the film, this is what's under the hood (so to speak). You're completely right that Leo is driven insane by Bob's ability to relate to his family; the movie's genius is that it never says that explicitly, but we all understand it. Yet again I must gently insist that we are merely paddling the surface if we leave it at that; why would Leo's family connect with a stranger more than him? The deeper tides beneath these waves, I think, have to do with the human need for self-revelation to one another. People who are afraid to display weakness or vulnerability cannot connect properly with others. Bob embraces his weaknesses, he embraces his emotions, he is driven by enthusiasm and not intellect, and it is this honesty and passion that we realize the Marvins are starved for. For human beings to connect with one another, they must make themselves vulnerable. That is the price we pay, there is no way around it. Leo can't quite let himself do that, Bob can, and this movie is about what happens as a result. I agree, Jacob and Natalie aren't partaking of this one quite yet. Truth is, this is a pretty dark film in some places, and I don't think the little ones have any business with it anyway. I agree with your reading of the movie, but I think there’s deeper material beneath it. You point out the irony of the shrink not being able to see what’s happening with his kids, and you’re right, but why can’t he? There has to be a reason. And in a good movie like this, that reason will likely be provided to us with a foil, an opposite like Bob who forces us to ponder on Leo’s nature by comparison. I submit that Leo is emotionally stagnated, desiring control of all elements of his life to an unnatural degree. I suspect he has trust issues, and fears that if he is honest with people, they will disappoint him. Bob is a man who abandons control, and in so doing he forces Leo into a miserable self-reflection by giving his family things they have desperately needed from their actual patriarch for years. This is the real meat of the film, this is what’s under the hood (so to speak).

You’re completely right that Leo is driven insane by Bob’s ability to relate to his family; the movie’s genius is that it never says that explicitly, but we all understand it. Yet again I must gently insist that we are merely paddling the surface if we leave it at that; why would Leo’s family connect with a stranger more than him? The deeper tides beneath these waves, I think, have to do with the human need for self-revelation to one another. People who are afraid to display weakness or vulnerability cannot connect properly with others. Bob embraces his weaknesses, he embraces his emotions, he is driven by enthusiasm and not intellect, and it is this honesty and passion that we realize the Marvins are starved for. For human beings to connect with one another, they must make themselves vulnerable. That is the price we pay, there is no way around it. Leo can’t quite let himself do that, Bob can, and this movie is about what happens as a result.

I agree, Jacob and Natalie aren’t partaking of this one quite yet. Truth is, this is a pretty dark film in some places, and I don’t think the little ones have any business with it anyway.

]]> By: DadsterD http://www.rewallen.com/2010/02/28/number-19/comment-page-1/#comment-7004 DadsterD Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:10:44 +0000 http://www.rewallen.com/?p=587#comment-7004 Great job, Rew. You somehow forgot to mention that your whole family repeatedly visited (by water only) Dr Marvin's lakehouse (which is actually on Smith Mtn Lake VA). Overall, I would shade it slightly differently; to me, one of the film's leitmotifs is the fact that the great shrink cannot see or relate to the profound psychological/developmental issues confronting his own children, yet the devious but innocent quasi-idiot Bob can, clearly and genuinely. That is just one of the things about Bob that drives Leo crazy. I also bear a soft spot for Frank Oz, who to me will always be the voice and heart of Fozzie Bear from the old Muppets show, one of the great weekly TV shows of all time. The movie is diminished, in my eyes, only by the gratuitous insertion of the potty-mouth Turrets exchanges between Bob and Leo's son. Though it makes a point about the relationship there, it's a point well made elsewhere in the film and makes the film one you can't show to impressionable youngsters -- though perhaps "death therapy" takes it out of THAT category anyway. Anyway, what Rew said -- great film. My favourite Bill Murray film after "Groundhog Day." Great job, Rew. You somehow forgot to mention that your whole family repeatedly visited (by water only) Dr Marvin’s lakehouse (which is actually on Smith Mtn Lake VA).
Overall, I would shade it slightly differently; to me, one of the film’s leitmotifs is the fact that the great shrink cannot see or relate to the profound psychological/developmental issues confronting his own children, yet the devious but innocent quasi-idiot Bob can, clearly and genuinely. That is just one of the things about Bob that drives Leo crazy.
I also bear a soft spot for Frank Oz, who to me will always be the voice and heart of Fozzie Bear from the old Muppets show, one of the great weekly TV shows of all time.
The movie is diminished, in my eyes, only by the gratuitous insertion of the potty-mouth Turrets exchanges between Bob and Leo’s son. Though it makes a point about the relationship there, it’s a point well made elsewhere in the film and makes the film one you can’t show to impressionable youngsters — though perhaps “death therapy” takes it out of THAT category anyway.
Anyway, what Rew said — great film. My favourite Bill Murray film after “Groundhog Day.”

]]> By: Bebe http://www.rewallen.com/2010/02/28/number-19/comment-page-1/#comment-6948 Bebe Mon, 01 Mar 2010 12:04:08 +0000 http://www.rewallen.com/?p=587#comment-6948 What a great write-up on "What About Bob!" Dad and I both loved it and agree that you nailed it! I like your point that you know a comedy is successful when the jokes are funny the tenth (20th, 30th, ec.) time you watch the movie. Like you, I couldn't have said exactly why the situation and the jokes were repeatedly funny....I just know they are. We're in the RV now heading back to the 'Burg. We enjoyed meeting little Parker West this weekend. Favorite memories: as we sat in church with them on Sunday morning, Parker chose the long prayer time to begin working his digestive system. It's amazing how loud the grunts were coming from that tiny little body! Another favorite memory: Brady and Dad decided to switch cars as they went to Costco and to the gas station. Jacob was already in his carseat in the Suburban when Dad climbed in the driver's seat. "What!" said Jacob. "Papa, do you know how to drive this car???" You can image the look of outrage on Dad's face. "Jacob," he said, "who do you think taught your Dad how to drive?" Love you, Mom What a great write-up on “What About Bob!” Dad and I both loved it and agree that you nailed it! I like your point that you know a comedy is successful when the jokes are funny the tenth (20th, 30th, ec.) time you watch the movie. Like you, I couldn’t have said exactly why the situation and the jokes were repeatedly funny….I just know they are.

We’re in the RV now heading back to the ‘Burg. We enjoyed meeting little Parker West this weekend. Favorite memories: as we sat in church with them on Sunday morning, Parker chose the long prayer time to begin working his digestive system. It’s amazing how loud the grunts were coming from that tiny little body!

Another favorite memory: Brady and Dad decided to switch cars as they went to Costco and to the gas station. Jacob was already in his carseat in the Suburban when Dad climbed in the driver’s seat. “What!” said Jacob. “Papa, do you know how to drive this car???” You can image the look of outrage on Dad’s face. “Jacob,” he said, “who do you think taught your Dad how to drive?”

Love you,

Mom

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