I want to know Harvey

Harvey was quite possibly the most meaningful film I have seen in this class, and very well one of the most I have seen in my life. It is centered on a man, Mr. Dowd (Elwood P.), and his less than imaginary friend, Harvey. Unfortunately, usually only Mr. Dowd can see and talk to Harvey, which makes him a little hard to take seriously. Even more unfortunate is the fact that Harvey takes the form of a 6 foot (or 6 foot three and a half inches, if we're sticking to the facts) human sized rabbit. Anyone in their right mind would tell you that Mr. Dowd is absolutely crazy, at least in the beginning of the film. It seems as though he is really the only crazy one of all the characters. At least, he is the only one that is different. Everyone, like Vita Simmons, Dr. Chumley, Dr. Sanderson, and the judge are always so caught up in worldly possessions.
Vita is always concerned with her money and her friends' opinions. She even goes as far as to commit her own brother into a mental institution, even after she plans on suing the same place.
Dr. Chumley is always worried about his reputation and the reputation of his establishment. We see this when Dr. Sanderson tells him about a "serious error." Chumley replies by saying that "this institution does not permit errors." He has obviously worked very hard to get the hospital where it is today and he may even be scared of any problems that arise. Instead of concerning himself with the error right away, he tries to turn his back on it and ignore it, claiming that it must be false.
Dr. Sanderson cares A LOT about his job. We see this when he frantically tries to talk Mr. Dowd out of a situation that Elwood doesn't even know exists. Sanderson is constantly kissing up to Chumley and going out of his way to track Mr. Dowd down.
Finally, we see how much the judge cares about Vita and the position of Elwood. Throughout the entire film, we see how the judge, or Gaffney tries to appeal to Vita. It is very clear how much Gaffney is attracted to her, so he does pretty much anything she asks without question. He goes where she wants to go, he sues who she wants to sue. I thought it was funny how Vita says she wants to sue Chumley and right away Gaffney agrees, without even knowing what wrongs Chumley had pursued.
As a result of these temporal desires, all of these characters seem to possess a certain quality of unhappiness. They are so caught up with the things of the world that they lose all focus on what really matters. And that seems to be what Elwood P. Dowd knows the most about. He is the only character in the film who seems to care about everyone more than he cares about himself. He is the friendliest, most out going man I have ever seen. He never seems to show any rude behavior. He is always extremely polite to everyone he meets, even strangers. And there in lies the whole meaning of Dowd's existence. That is, to make friends. In almost every scene we see Elwood in, he is making a new friend. And that is really what it's all about, isn't it? We're all just trying to make it through this life with the people who make us happy. So, in a way, Elwood P. Dowd was not crazy at all. In a way, he was the most sane character in the film.
For me, these two quotes sum up the whole meaning of the film:

Dr. Sanderson: Think carefully, Dowd. Didn't you know somebody, sometime, someplace by the name of Harvey? Didn't you ever know anybody by that name?
Elwood P. Dowd: No, no, not one, Doctor. Maybe that's why I always had such hopes for it.

Elwood P. Dowd: Years ago, my mother used to say to me, she'd say "In this world, Elwood, you can be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart... I recommend pleasant. You may quote me.

Oh and please do excuse my tardy participation in this assignment. I won't make an excuse. I'm just a tad irresponsible. But aren't we all?