Two more points to support your thesis:
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Dash_Riprock — 13 years ago(June 17, 2012 10:49 PM)
This seems to be a theme of numerous stories probably from the time of Homer, as it is a mind effer to realize the antagonist and staid-upright victim are the same person.
I myself am not literate enough to cite classical works, but the movie Neighbors with Belushi and Aykroyd comes to mind as possibly similar.
I also saw a movie with Johnny Depp as an author who was blackmailed and stalked by a man who accused him of plagarism after writing a blockbuster book. Sorry I can't remember its name.
Overall a very interesting thread on a good but unrespected movie. -
Burning_Sosobra — 13 years ago(July 11, 2012 10:51 AM)
That movie with Johnny Depp, who was accused by John Turturro's character of plagarism is Secret Window, a movie adapted by a Stephen King story. Interesting points made on this board, and I'm a few years late to the game, but some very cool ideas stated here. Perhaps a tad over the top analysis of a great comedy, but good points nonetheless. I wouldn't expect such scrutiny over this film, I certianly wouldn't over-analyze it, but that's just me. Can't say I agree with the OP's points, but it's a cool thought anyways.
As a side note, What About Bob? is playing on TV right now as I'm posting this. I haven't seen it in years, it's always a nice treat to watch this.
In Vino Veritas: In Wine there is Truth -
Veriiitas — 13 years ago(December 05, 2012 05:52 AM)
Good Analysis. I can see how you came to this conclusion, and it is indeed thought provoking.
however there are some flaws in your theory..
bob's interactions with leo's family did not indicate in anyway that they were one and the same person, just the opposite
They can not occupy the same space at the same time? - just the opposite mate, this is the only case where two persons can occupy the same space at the same time!, because they are one and the same - same matter, two different personalities.
and yet, not being able to occupy the same space at the same would be further proof that they are two different matters, but if you mean that this is all happening in his mind then it would make no sense to say they cant occupy the same space because it wouldnt proof anything, a person can have several thoughts at the same.
actually the opposite of what you said would be more accurate, two personalities of the same person are more likely to occupy the same space depending on the persons psyche, however they can not be at two DIFFERENT places at the same time, if they are one and the same, which happened more than a few times in the movie, with witnesses having been at both ends at the same time.
Also, how can he Unchoke himself?, you said he cant let leo choke, because if he dies bob dies too, but if they are both supposed to be the same person how can he save himself from choking?
in the end Bob married leo's sister, i do not think leo would marry his own sister.
sorry i didnt give more points but im writing this based on my memory of the movie the last time i saw it which was almost two years ago. -
MrBook_ — 12 years ago(April 18, 2013 09:21 AM)
LOL, that's brilliant. And it makes the family laughing and having fun with this guy and loving him so much make perfect sense. He's their dad/husband, when he's in "fun" mode. Why did I wait until today to check out the board for this movie?
You want some ice cream, in case there are no gay people there? -
jay_brown71 — 12 years ago(May 19, 2013 09:03 AM)
You know, something else has been nagging uncomfortably in the back of my mind lo these many years - and I think I will present this as the "Smoking Gun" - thats right friends, if you pour yourself a drink and patiently re-read through the entire thread to refresh your memory of the circumstantial "evidence" so far, then reach this post, you will find it all tied up neatly -
The finger puppets.
Leo, despite being an accomplished psychiatrist, has a disfunctional relationship with his children. When he angrily confronts Anna after her sailing voyage (with her friend George Stark and Bob) he is apparently unable to speak directly to her. To her dismay, he has brought the finger puppets with him and demands that Anna put hers on and they have an argument using them. The last thing he says to her as she angrily walks away shouting that Bob is fun is "Your father is fun".
Bob is a puppet. Bob is a finger puppet. Bob is Leo's finger puppet.
Bob is the physical/psycological manifestation of Leo's finger puppet. He no longer needs to bring his finger puppet with him, he can put Bob on anytime and be with his family and not be Leo.- Bob notices the finger puppets at one point and makes some comment
- When Anna picks Bob up in the family vehicle on her way to go sailing, Bob tells her his theory about how people are like phones and sometimes there's just a bad connection and you just have to try again later - Leo is disconneted
- Bob always seems to appear when there is friction or difficulty for Leo - the old couple, the television interview, Siggy's diving, Anna's sailing, Leo choking, Leo's birthday - I used to think Bob was the CAUSE of the friction, but now I think that Bob is the RESULT of the friction
Leo has serious issues. His education and career have given his subconcious a way out, a solution to his problems.
He created Bob.
Then again maybe Bob was there all along, repressed by Leo - maybe Bob even wrote "Baby Steps"
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jay_brown71 — 12 years ago(May 19, 2013 11:25 AM)
I know its a comedy, but now that I watch it again, the diving scene is actually very moving.
http://youtu.be/sNa3WtxYa8o -
jonesy82 — 11 years ago(September 30, 2014 08:01 PM)
Although you have valid points, in reality you have completely over-analysed a very good comedy. You remind me of a conspiracy theorist, taking any and all information as proof of a hidden agenda. To quote Sophocles "Look and you will find it - what is unsought will go undetected." This wasn't a movie with a hidden agenda, next time you decide to watch a comedy I suggest you treat it as such, laugh at it, enjoy it and don't over-think it.
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st6374 — 9 years ago(June 30, 2016 10:40 AM)
Just watched the movie and I have to completely disagree with you. Although I appreciate how interesting your theory is, you are simply over analysing specific parts of the movie as to suggest why Bob and Leo might be the same person.
There are some movie that are open to interpretations because of its ambiguity. This movie is not one of them.