Creating Our Own Reality

            Harvey is a sweet film, but when examined on a deeper level it becomes clear that the film explores some very abstract ideas and conveys many deep messages. The movie follows Elwood P. Dowd and his friend Harvey, a giant rabbit, standing six foot, three and a half inches tall, who only Elwood can see. His sister thinks that Elwood has lost his mind because of all his drinking and tries to have him committed. The hilarity that ensues teaches the characters the true meaning of reality, family, friendship, and acceptance.

            While many of the characters believe Elwood to be crazy, he is actually perfectly sane; it’s the other characters that are trying to create their own reality who are not entirely cognizant of true reality. He accepts everything as it is. He does not question people or judge them for the things they have done. The other characters are trying to fit into society and they place appearances and actions before all else. Anything that they think is strange must be wrong. Veta, Elwood’s sister, thinks that Elwood goes to the bar too much, so in her mind he has to have a problem. In actuality Elwood goes to bars because Harvey wants to and because he can make friends and help people. He says that “no one ever brings anything small into a bar.” This is very true, many people go to bars to escape their lives, their realities, for a little while. Elwood listens to their stories and treats each and every one of them equally. As the movie continues multiple characters confess to having seen Harvey, and doors opening on their own are proof to his existence. Suddenly Elwood’s friend is no longer imaginary and the extreme measures the other characters are going to to get rid of him and deny his existence seem ridiculous. They are attempting to deny the existence of someone who is obviously there. This begs the question: What does it mean to exist? For most of the characters minds it means that one must be visible and normal by societal standards. For Elwood, who accepts what he sees, there is no question as to Harvey’s existence, and maybe that is why Harvey chooses to appear to him. The actions of the other characters cause them to seem crazy, and the person they are trying to say is crazy begins to look more and more reasonable.

            Family, friendship, and acceptance are all tied up together in this film. At the beginning Veta cannot stand Elwood’s strange ways because they are causing her and Myrtle Mae, her daughter, to look bad in the eyes of the society they so want to be a part of. Veta chooses to forsake her family, her only brother, for the sake of acceptance. She only changes her mind at the very end when a cab driver says that treatment will cause Elwood to become unpleasant and that he would never be the same. Veta is mortified that she has traded her beloved brother for “normalcy” and immediately rushes to stop the procedure. Unlike his family, Elwood does not look for acceptance; instead, he accepts everything and simply allows others to choose whether or not to accept him. Elwood treats everyone as a friend. His open acceptance of everyone is so shocking that most people cannot help but like him, even if he is odd. He teaches his family and everyone he encounters the true meaning of friendship and acceptance.

I find it amusing that most of the people who would normally command a lot of ethos, such as Dr. Chumley and Dr. Sanderson, are made to look ridiculous because of the way they react to sweet, harmless Elwood. Veta’s overly pathos filled actions also cause her to look absurd. Elwood carries the perfect amount and kind of Pathos, combined with an empathetic ability and endless optimism, all of which cause people love him instantly. His likability increases his credibility; thus, it makes sense for him to be the character who conveys and exemplifies the movie’s most important messages.

            Harvey has definitely been my favorite movie this semester. It started out a bit odd, but by the end I loved the movie and the characters (even stupid Dr. Chumley who tried to take Harvey away). On the surface this is a charming and funny movie, but upon closer examination it is clear that it is making a point about reality and the socially influenced “reality” people try to create for themselves. It shows the importance of family and friendship and proves that, rather than seeking acceptance, it is best to accept others as they are, be they friends, family, strangers, or giant mythical rabbits, and acceptance will be returned openly.