Recent Reviews for Harvey
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MCT:August 27, 2008Ahh Jimmy Stewart - the timeless charmer...though never was he more charming than he was in this movie, and no one could have played the part better (to think Cary Grant would have gotten it!)
Hilarious, creatively done (almost every shot of Stewart is a two-shot to include Harvey) and well-acted. That trademark twinkle-in-his-eye when he converses with his pooka is simply priceless. -
MCT:August 8, 2008Pretty confusing, because the rabbit is never shown, but it makes more sense if you read the play. Also, there was a lot of old humor that I didn't quite understand... before my time, I guess.
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MCT:August 7, 2008Every time we go to me grandma?s house she asks if we've seen this. And then we watch it half the time.
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MCT:July 26, 2008"Harvey and I sit in the bars... have a drink or two... play the juke box. And soon the faces of all the other people they turn toward mine and they smile. And they're saying, "We don't know your name, mister, but you're a very nice fella." Harvey and I warm ourselves in all these golden moments. We've entered as strangers - soon we have friends. And they come over... and they sit with us... and they drink with us... and they talk to us. They tell 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. And when they leave, they leave impressed. The same people seldom come back; but that's envy, my dear. There's a little bit of envy in the best of us."
Actor James Stewart cultivated into a household name for playing loveable characters. Harvey is a classic in every sense of the word: it's an emotional, uplifting and comical romp that illustrates life as being all about perspective. Initially, the story found success in the manifestation of a stage production composed by Mary Chase. It's prudent to assume that a cinematic rendering of the treasured Mary Chase stage production would be a daunting and intriguing undertaking, as Chase secured a Pulitzer Prize for her writing. However the indications during pre-production were promising, with James Stewart and Josephine Hull agreeing to appear. Little did the filmmakers realise that in the decades to follow, Harvey would become a tremendously successful film: one that would frequently be regarded as superior to its source material. Although the production is somewhat dated, and there are countless flaws present in its hyperbolically pretentious screenplay, the eccentric performances elevate the screenplay and production to satisfying margins.
The timeless story of Harvey is summed up by a simple premise that sounds boring and preposterous: a man befriends an imaginary 6-foot rabbit (6 feet, three inches to be exact). Granted, if the filmmakers did not proficiently fulfil their duties then it would have been a disaster. Due to the film's nature of never actually seeing Harvey the 6-foot rabbit, choosing an actor to fill the title role would be difficult. Thankfully, though, with veteran actor James Stewart in place, the film's proceedings are far more absorbing. It's also worth noting that one short line of dialogue delivered by the main character sums up the film's underlying morals and messages: "Nobody ever brings anything small into a bar".
The protagonist of Harvey is a moralistic, caring man named Elwood P. Dowd (Stewart). Elwood no longer needs to work as he inherited an estate and loads of money when his mother died. Now Elwood is a semi-alcoholic who frequently warms up to everyone he meets: providing them with his card, and commonly inviting them to dinner as well. People constantly take advantage of Elwood's generosity and caring persona. Many people think he's crazy because Elwood is always accompanied by an imaginary friend named Harvey. Harvey is a "pooka": a large, invisible rabbit. In ancient Celtic mythology a pooka is a fairy spirit in animal form, a benevolent albeit mischievous creature fond of oddballs and rum pots. Elwood lives with sister Vita (Hull) and niece Myrtle Mae (Horne) who tolerate him merely for his fortune. However, they are increasingly annoyed at their social situation. Thanks to Elwood's insane nature of introducing people to Harvey, friends are quick to leave social events. Eventually they become so fed up that the mutually acquiescent decision is settled upon to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium. Trouble and comedic mayhem follows...
James Stewart is impeccable in his portrayal of Elwood. The actor is charming and charismatic like always. Josephine Hull is frequently over-the-top, but she at least has the ability to overshadow the script. Hull earned an Oscar for her portrayal. Needless to say, this Oscar is well earned! It's impossible not to be enthralled with the rest of the cast. They are all eccentric and frequently funny. In spite of this, the script is conceited and disappointing. Age has not been kind to the script. It's frequently stilted, and as a result it's sometimes very hard to follow. We are looking at some fine, charming acting but nothing further. Even with a poor screenplay, the film is still atmospheric and appealing. The messages shine through perfectly. The pace is also brisk as the film runs at about 100 minutes.
Overall, Harvey isn't perfect but no film is. Considering the potentially disastrous outcome as this is an interpretation of a stage play, the filmmakers have done a stellar job in bringing the beloved source material to life with fantastic results. It's sweet, delightful, alluring and entertaining. Although flawed in its script, this is a quality classic that's of a standard rarely exhibited in this modern age. -
MCT:July 18, 2008
This is one of my favorite Jimmy Stewart films. It shows that you don't have to be a child to have an imagination, and that sometimes you have to look past the end of their noses once in awhile.
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MCT:July 11, 2008
A film about an imaginary rabbit? The film could very well have been a disaster with anyone less than James Stewart as the star, but with him in the lead role as the impeccable Elwood P. Dowd the film is a wonder. The story revolves around Dowd and his Aunt I think it was Veta Louise Simmons who is trying to get him committed to a loony house because of his ?fancy? that he has a 7 foot tall bunny friend. The hilarity is in the sincerity of Stewart?s performance as he seems like the straight one and makes everyone else look less than together especially the aunt. Such a charming film and delicately made that it is among the greats.
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MCT:July 4, 2008
this is one of those movies that you watch and it makes you want to be a better person. Stewart is brilliant in this movie. A random plot line but its done so well it doesnt seem so random.
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MCT:July 3, 2008
Harvey tells the story of a man, played by James Stewart, and his best friend - a six-foot, three-and-one-half inch rabbit. Nobody can see the rabbit except Stewart and the audience never sees him. Basically the whole point of the film is his sister trying to get him committed to a mental hospital but difficulties arise. When I heard this was a comedy about a man and a giant rabbit (and again after reading what I just wrote) I would have to say this is about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Yet it isn't. Despite the absurdity of the plot, it's actually most entertaining and at times quite hilarious.
As usual, James Stewart does an excellent job portraying Elwood P. Dowd. His role was rather unique in that he was constantly interacting with a cast member that was not actually there. The other notable actor in this film is actress Josephine Hull who won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Stewart's elder sister. While her performance was rather good at times, I felt like she was a little too over-the-top for me and that was probably the film's main weakness.
There's not really much else to say. For those looking for a simple, yet highly-entertaining film this is an excellent choice. A fun plot with some well-placed comedy and good acting makes for a good film. The short running time, 104 minutes, is also a plus.
83.5/100
B
UP NEXT: A Hitchcock film, Spellbound. -
MCT:June 15, 2008
Jimmy Stewart hits the ball out of the park with his performance. This film has an interesting original script. Definitely this film is a classic.
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MCT:May 25, 2008
Jimmy Stewart is very talented you can not believe his filthy(great) performance in this move, u will forget all the great roles he played in the rope, vertigo, and anatomy of a murder. Harvey is one of the few timeless movies
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MCT:May 20, 2008
great movie. It was so funny.
Harvey is a 1950 film based on Mary Chase's Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, directed by Henry Koster, and starring James Stewart and Josephine Hull. The story is about a man whose best friend is a "pooka" named Harvey?in the form of a six-foot, eight and one half-inch-tall rabbit.
Hull's performance earned her an Academy Award as Best Supporting Actress; Stewart's portrayal earned him a Best Actor Oscar nomination....
Stewart plays Elwood P. Dowd, a middle-aged, amiable (and somewhat eccentric) individual whose best friend is an invisible six-foot, eight-and-a-half-inch tall rabbit named Harvey. [Originally only 6 feet tall, Jimmy Stewart (who is six-foot, three-and-a-half inches tall) had to add to Harvey's height so that he could look up to him as described in the play]. Harvey is a pooka, a mischievous magical creature from Celtic mythology. As the film begins, Elwood has been driving his sister and niece (who live with him and crave normality and a place in 'society') to distraction by introducing everyone he meets to his friend, Harvey. His family seems to be unsure whether Dowd's obsession with Harvey is an attempt to embarrass them, or a product of his (admitted) propensity to drink or mental illness.
Josephine Hull and Victoria HorneHis sister, Veta Louise Simmons (played by Hull), tries to have Elwood committed to a sanitorium. In exasperation, she admits to the attending psychiatrist (Dr Lyman Sanderson played by Charles Drake) that, after so many years of putting up with it, she sees Harvey every once in a while. This causes Dr. Sanderson to let Elwood out and lock Veta up. After sorting out the mistake, Dr. Chumley (head of the sanitorium played delightfully by Cecil Kellaway) decides that to save the reputation of the Sanitorium he must bring Elwood back. Faced by many trials she doesn't understand Veta says to her daughter "Myrtle Mae, you have a lot to learn and I hope you never learn it".
When tracked down, Elwood goes through several ordeals, although he remains oblivious to the plans put in place for him by Dr Chumley, Judge Gaffney (William Lynn) and Veta Louise. In a poignant scene where Dr. Sanderson and his nurse Miss Kelly (played by Peggy Dow) follow Elwood into an alley at the back of his and Harvey's favourite haunt - Charlie's Bar, Elwood tells the incredible story of how he came to meet Harvey, and explains the way in which people react when they meet them. In a later scene, he gives Dr. Chumley an insight into his "philosophy" of life - you can be "Oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart; I recommend pleasant. And you may quote me".
Peggy Dow and James StewartIn the final scene of the film, Elwood (along with everybody else) arrives back at the hospital, having convinced Dr. Chumley of Harvey's existence. However, Dr. Sanderson convinces Elwood to come into his office where he'll receive a serum that will "stop (him - Elwood) seeing the rabbit." As they are preparing for the injection, Elwood's sister is told by their cab driver about all the other people he has driven to the sanitorium to receive the self-same medicine, warning her that Elwood will become "just a normal human being. And you know what stinkers they are." Upset by the very thought of this, Veta halts the procedure.
At the tale's end Harvey is given the choice of remaining with Dr Chumley (and potentially spending a lot of time in Akron, Ohio) or continuing his life with Elwood, catches Elwood up at the exit to the Sanitorium and is seen (indirectly) opening the gate to the hospital to follow the others out....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvey_(film) -
Love this film, especially the character of Ellwood; he has to be the sweetness guy ever. Makes me chuckle everytime, plus love the underlying themes.
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MCT:April 23, 2008
I had never seen this one until recently and Jimmy Stewart is flawless. I wish my wife was this way when she was drunk.
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MCT:April 2, 2008
Lindo, poético... Fez uma grande diferençana maneira como eu vejo o mundo, especialmente por que eu deveria ter 10 anos quando assisti. Recomendado, caso consiga achar.
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MCT:April 2, 2008
It's an off the wall comedy starring the legendary Jimmy Stewart. It's hillarious and inspirational, and Donny Darko steals the six foot rabbit from this movie.
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MCT:April 1, 2008
"...in this world Elwood you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant, well for years I was smart, I recommend pleasant." A pleasant movie indeed. Thumbs up !
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MCT:March 19, 2008
This movie was kind of weird and funny and just nice and comforting at the same time. Jimmy Stewart is always great in everything he does anyway so I knew I'd like this. This was a lovable sweet film!
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MCT:March 18, 2008
Literally my favorite movie about a clinically insane Jimmy Stewart ever made. Ever. Its got Pookas and booze and great acting and a heart-warming tale. But mostly, its just a great movie and a great tale.
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MCT:February 27, 2008
This is one of those fun oldies. Doesn't take much to picture it's stage version and Stewart is always worth watching.
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MCT:February 26, 2008
Jimmy Stewart at his classic best. Halarious film about a man and his 6 ft imaginary friend.....a bunny. Wish I had one!
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MCT:February 18, 2008
I love this movie..Jimmy Stewart is so believable! People actually use to ask him if Harvey was with him!
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MCT:February 9, 2008
just a pure classic. A very funny and very heartwarming tale of friendship. Now I wanna read the play!
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MCT:January 28, 2008
It's been 57 years, and a film has yet to exceed adorable Harvey's quirky imaginary-friend concept. Stewart is fabulous and the entire movie is in one word, delightful...
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MCT:January 22, 2008
Sometimes I feel that with the whole bunny thing Donnie Darko stole a little something from this movie. This is a really great movie.
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MCT:January 10, 2008CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who though that a film about a man with an imaginary friend named Harvey who turns out to be a 6 foot tall rabbit ("pooka" actually) that affects many lives could be such a masterpiece, and one of the most fascinating and complex character studies as well? Simplicity is in the complexity. It is unbearable that James Stewart didn't win the Oscar, but Josephine Hull did, and she was SPECTACULAR AND HILARIOUS. A true human character.
And remember: harvey is in all of us. You just have to find him. I like to call him: "happiness", because it is within us all.
93/100
