Harvey

Who is really crazy in this life?  Is it a man who has found inner peace and has an imaginary 6'3" friend rabbit? Or, is it the people who care so abundantly on social status, and what others think of them?  By the end of the film I think all of us can answer that without a doubt.  One of my favorite quotes of the movie was stated by Elwood, he said, "Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, Doctor, and I'm happy to state I finally won out over it."  Out of everyone in this movie I think Elwood is the sanest out of all of them.  He has found inner peace with himself, and he is content with all aspects of his life.  Elwood should be looked at as a clear indication that attitude is naturally the key to happiness.  

Elwood invites everyone and anyone to have a drink with him or to his house for dinner.  It didn't matter what status they were in society.  He asked the asylums gate operator to go have a drink with him downtown.  He also asked Dr. Chumley's wife to have dinner with him and his friends.  Elwood did not care that these two people were on opposite ends of the spectrum.  His niece and sister on the other hand, they cared heavily on social status and impressing other people.  Distressed Veta, Elwood's own sister, tried to keep him out of the house while she was having guests over.  He showed up and started introducing every one of the guests to Harvey.  Veta knew what was going to happen next.  This has happened more than once; where Elwood introduces Harvey to her guests and they all leave.  Veta decided that was the last straw and was going to put her brother into Chumley's Rest—a mental hospital.  In many reviews I read, the authors said considering that this was a comedy there was not nearly enough laugh out loud moments.  Well, I beg to differ.  I was laughing out loud at many different parts of the movie, especially the circumstances that played out when Veta took Elwood to the Chumley's Rest.  Another part was when Elwood and Dr. Chumley were talking alone in his office and Elwood was telling the doc about Harvey.  He lied down on the type of bed you see in a psychiatrist’s office.  This was portraying that the doc was the crazy one and Elwood was the doctor.  These little moments throughout the movie had me laughing out loud.

One of my favorite themes in the movie was friendship.  Elwood would introduce everyone he met to Harvey.  He also would open the door for him and insist he go in first.  The things he did with Harvey he would do the same for other people.  He carried himself out with a very respectful and proper demeanor.  Another one of my favorite quotes was said by Elwood, he stated, “I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I'm with.”  You could tell he had a grand time with anyone.  In my opinion, the world would be a much better place if we had more people like Elwood in it. 

Then ending in this movie was great.  I was sad when Dr. Chumley asked if Harvey could stay with him.  Elwood didn’t mind at all because he respected people’s wishes.  Then as Elwood is walking through the gate he turns around and sees Harvey.  He then says, “Thanks, I prefer you too Harvey.”  They then proceed to walk off into the distance together. The End.  Joe was right; you should be admitted into a mental hospital if you don’t like this movie.  I really enjoyed Harvey and would recommend it to anyone.