Uncertainty about Harvey

I am not really sure what this film was about. At first, it seemed like a light-hearted comedy about a wacky uncle that has an imaginary friend. However, the entire film turned wacky by the end. At times, I feel like Elwood used his “friend” Harvey in order help others deal with their life or their feelings. Elwood gives Dr. Chumley an excuse to talk about his life and his feelings, what he would have done differently if he could. Elwood states it himself: “They tell us about the big terrible things they’ve done and the big wonderful things they’ll do. Their hopes, and their regrets, and their loves, and their hates. All very large, because nobody ever brings anything small into a bar. And then I introduce them to Harvey… and he’s bigger and grander than anything they offer me”. Perhaps Harvey is a way for Elwood to relate to and interact with other people. Harvey is a psychological tool. He makes people confront their problems by creating something bigger than they can handle, a person/creature who does not exist.

Harvey is described as being a pooka. In Irish mythology, a pooka is a mischievous creature that can shape shift, but chooses to be seen as a large black horse most of the time. A large black horse is extremely ominous, but a large white bunny is not as threatening. By describing Harvey as a large bunny, Elwood creates an almost comical image that speaks to the innocence of childhood. I doubt that Elwood is trying to hurt others by creating this persona of Harvey. I am not completely sure what Harvey meant to Elwood. He could have been a way that Elwood dealt with his emotions, and then a way in which Elwood could reach out and interact with other people. Elwood does not seem to have any friends, apart from Harvey. He is pleasant to everyone he meets, even inviting complete strangers to his house. He may have a sort of disinhibited reactive attachment disorder, in which he seeks attention from everyone, including strangers, but he does not form strong relationships with his family members.

The main character that I just cannot stand is Myrtle Mae. She cares too much about herself than the happiness of her uncle or her mother. When her mother gets home and describes what happened to her in the hospital, Myrtle is comforting. After all, it sounds to the audience like Mrs. Simmons was practically raped, if not sexually molested. We as the viewers know that’s not what happened, but to Myrtle, it could have been rape.  And when the man who assaulted her mother comes calling, Myrtle is not afraid or even wary. She practically throws herself at him in order to get his attention. Myrtle could care less about what is right for her family, and cares instead about her personal love life. She barely knows Mr. Wilson, but she’s ready to go away with him and marry him. She needs to be loyal to her family and her uncle, who have been supporting her throughout her entire life.