The Psychologist Depicted In The Film What About Bob

Chances are most of what you think you know about therapy is misinterpreted in the media. Why? Because our culture’s negative view of what happens in therapy is primarily based on fictional psychologists. Fictional psychologists were introduced to film in 1931 and since then have been interpreted in film in a variety of ways. Unfortunately in most films, psychologists are portrayed in a negative way. A 1991 film called What About Bob? has been analyzed by psychologists and film critics over the years, and the question surrounding it is: why is the main antagonist (a therapist) portrayed negatively? In the film, the psychologist (Dr. Leo Marvin) is found at a point in his career where his priority seems to be becoming a “renowned therapist” with a slight ego. His ego is the reason he undertook the …show more content…
Marvin during his vacation, such as pretending that he is going to commit suicide. Dr. Marvin receives a call that Bob kills himself. Dr. Marvin explains this to his wife — without a thought about his own feelings of losing a client or about the client. He says, “Oh well, let’s not let it ruin our vacation.” As the film proceeds, Bob continues to contravene on Dr. Marvin’s vacation and family, and while Dr. Marvin continues to try to get rid of Bob before his interview with Good Morning America, Bob eventually wins over Dr. Marvin’s family members. Dr. Marvin eventually loses control to the point where he tries to kill Bob with a bomb attached to his body. He convinces Bob that this is “death therapy.” At this point, Dr. Marvin becomes joyful because he believes he is finally free of Bob. Most students gain insight halfway through the film. They see that Dr. Marvin spends most of the film attempting to get rid of Bob without taking time to consider the reason that he needs his help. Psychologists may sometimes forget to listen to a client and get wrapped up in their own agenda. They are often the cause of their own