Benjamin's Stash: Video Pick of the Week

      Hey, readers, time for this week's video pick. My pick today happens to be one of my all-time favorite comedies. It's also one of the most underrated comedies starring one of the greatest comic actors ever.

      In What About Bob?, Bob Wiley (Bill Murray) suffers from multiple phobias that render him a recluse in his New York apartment. When meeting downtown psychiatrist Dr. Leo Marvin (Richard Dreyfuss) for an appointment, Bob feels good about the possibility of Dr. Marvin helping him with his fears. Following the appointment, Dr. Marvin informs Bob that he'll be on vacation for Labor Day, but gives him a copy of his own book "Baby Steps" to read while he's away. While Dr. Marvin's away on vacation, Bob - unable to cope with the absence - goes to great lengths to find out where he is. This frustrates Dr. Mavin, but understanding Bob's condition, lets it slide at first. That is until Bob suddenly shows up at his vacation home.

      Bill Murray has had quite few iconic performances such as Dr. Peter Venkman, Carl Spackler, Private John Winger, and Phil Connors. Bob Wiley is, without a doubt, Murray's most underrated performance. Murray's always played likeable characters, but they were typically sarcastic ladies men too. Here Wiley's likeable, but also so good-natured, and Murray hits a grand slam. After seeing the film at the premiere, Steven Spielberg - who's films have garnered twelve Academy Award acting nominations altogether - was so impressed by Murray's performance he spent $250,000 on a campaign for Murray to not only be nominated for a Best Actor Academy Award, but to also win it (I've always felt an Oscar worthy performance is an Oscar worthy performance regardless of film genre as well). Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss is equally perfect as the straight man psychiatrist that is always annoyed by Bob's persistent but well meaning behavior. Both Murray and Dreyfuss play off each other so well and hit just the right notes together. It comedy chemistry at its finest. The way Bob seems to unwittingly get under Dr. Marvin's skin is pure comic genius. At the beginning of the film, Bob's the one with the irrational fears meeting the calm and brilliant Dr. Marvin. As the story progresses though, you begin to see a gradual criss-cross change of character between the two as Bob becomes more at ease and Dr. Marvin begins to behave irrationally (His rant on Bob following a TV interview for his book is classic). This is a non-stop laughs comedy with two pitch perfect comic performances by Murray and Dreyfuss. One of director Frank Oz's finest efforts, What About Bob? will have you laughing yourself to tears by the end.