"What About Bob?" and the Silent Suffering of Dr. Marvin

Okay, folks, I've been rewatching "What About Bob?" (yes, again – send help) and I'm increasingly convinced we're all missing the point. We laugh at Bob Wiley's manic neediness, his constant intrusions, but what about Leo Marvin? I think the film presents a pretty scathing critique of the self-absorbed psychiatrist who can't see beyond his own ego. He's so busy promoting his 'Baby Steps' book (the irony!) that he completely disregards Bob's genuine distress. Sure, Bob is… a lot. But Marvin's initial dismissiveness and his escalating rage felt, frankly, more horrifying than funny to me this time around. It's a dark comedy, sure, but the darkness is definitely in Marvin's repressed anger. I'm particularly struck by the scene where Bob 'cures' Fay's Tourette's. While absurd, it highlights the emptiness of Marvin's approach. Fay, for all her outbursts, is more present and engaged than Marvin will ever allow himself to be. And let's be honest, Richard Dreyfuss plays the escalating frustration brilliantly. You can see the veneer of professional calm cracking, revealing a truly unpleasant character underneath. He becomes even more mentally unstable that Bob, which I think it what the point of the movie maybe. Maybe it's the times we're living in, but I'm finding it harder to laugh at Bob without also feeling deeply uncomfortable about Marvin's utter lack of empathy. Is Bob annoying? Absolutely. But is he actively causing harm? I'm not so sure. Is Marvin? Well, he tries to blow up Bob, so… case closed. It's not just about Bob's insanity, it's about the insanity that exists in the world of mental health that goes uncheckd. And maybe I'm totally off-base here, but I'm interested to hear what you all think. Ultimately, "What About Bob?" isn't just a silly comedy; it's a commentary on the performative nature of wellness culture and the damage inflicted by those who prioritize appearance over genuine connection. Bob simply mirrors Marvin's own repressed anxieties and insecurities, and that's why Marvin wants him gone. It's a very interesting movie that's hard to pin down, genre-wise.