Friday Film Noir

What About Bob? (1991) is a superb comedy directed by Frank Oz and written by Tom Schulman. The film follows Bob Wiley, a neurotic and clingy patient played by Bill Murray, who tracks down his psychiatrist, Dr. Leo Marvin, played flawlessly by Richard Dreyfuss, while he's on vacation with his family. As Bob worms his way into the family's affection, Dr. Marvin’s professional poise begins to unravel. The cast also includes Julie Hagerty as Dr. Marvin’s wife, Charlie Korsmo as their son, and Kathryn Erbe as their teenage daughter. The balance between Murray’s eccentric charm and Dreyfuss’s escalating rage drives the film’s absurd tension.

Behind the scenes, the chemistry between the actors mirrored the on‑screen conflict—Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss famously clashed during filming. According to crew accounts, Murray would taunt Dreyfuss, throw things at him, and provoke him between takes. Dreyfuss described Murray as "drunken" and "irrational" at times, while Murray reportedly resented Dreyfuss’s theatrical style and ego. Director Frank Oz had to manage multiple incidents of tension on set, and he later confirmed that although difficult, the dynamic helped the film’s energy. The lake house scenes were filmed at Smith Mountain Lake in Virginia, but the story takes place in New Hampshire. The film humorously explores themes like mental health, codependency, and professional pride.

1991 • PG • 1h 39m
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
Holy Unknown Grade: A+
Worldwide Gross: 63.7M
Where To Watch