Harvey Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A perpetually pleasant dude’s imaginary friend, a giant rabbit, causes a whole lot of trouble for his social-climbing sister, but everyone learns to chill out and maybe see the world a little differently (or maybe just join him at the bar).

🍿 Harvey: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Elwood P. Dowd and Harvey

Elwood P. Dowd is a genial and wealthy man living with his sister Veta and niece Myrtle Mae. He insists that his constant companion is Harvey, a six-foot-three-and-a-half-inch tall invisible rabbit. Elwood introduces Harvey to everyone he meets, much to the embarrassment of his social-climbing sister, Veta. Veta worries about how Elwood’s eccentric behavior affects her social standing and her daughter’s chances of finding a husband. She decides to commit Elwood to a mental institution in hopes of restoring normalcy to their lives.

Veta’s Attempt to Commit Elwood and the Resulting Chaos

Veta attempts to have Elwood committed to Chumley’s Rest, a sanitarium. However, due to her hysterical explanation, Dr. Sanderson mistakenly commits Veta instead of Elwood. This leads to a series of comedic mishaps as the staff tries to rectify the situation and locate Elwood. While Veta is temporarily institutionalized, Elwood remains free, continuing his affable routine and charming everyone he encounters. His gentle nature and unique perspective on life begin to affect those around him, including the staff at Chumley’s Rest.

Dr. Chumley’s Encounter and the Question of Sanity

Dr. Chumley, the head psychiatrist, eventually encounters Elwood and, intrigued by his stories of Harvey, begins to question his own sanity and perception of reality. He disappears with Elwood for a time, leading to further confusion and panic among the other characters. The film raises questions about the nature of sanity and happiness. Is Elwood truly delusional, or does his acceptance of Harvey provide him with a unique sense of peace and contentment that others lack?

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Elwood P. Dowd (James Stewart): A kind and eccentric man who enjoys life with his best friend, an invisible six-foot-three-and-a-half-inch rabbit named Harvey.
• Veta Louise Dowd Simmons (Josephine Hull): Elwood’s frazzled sister who tries to have him committed to a sanitarium due to his unusual friendship.
• Dr. William Chumley (Cecil Kellaway): The head psychiatrist at Chumley’s Rest who initially doubts Elwood’s sanity but later becomes intrigued by Harvey.
• Myrtle Mae Simmons (Victoria Horne): Veta’s daughter, who worries about her social prospects due to her uncle’s eccentric behavior.
• Dr. Raymond Sanderson (Charles Drake): An ambitious psychiatrist at Chumley’s Rest who initially diagnoses Veta instead of Elwood.
• Miss Kelly (Peggy Dow): Dr. Sanderson’s kind-hearted nurse, who develops feelings for him and shows compassion towards Elwood.
• Ellis Logfren, The Taxi Driver (Wallace Ford): A philosophical taxi driver who shares his experiences of driving patients to the sanitarium.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Elwood P. Dowd: “Years ago my mother used to say to me, she’d say, ‘In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant.’ Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.” – Elwood explains his philosophy on life when confronted about his unconventional behavior.
• Elwood P. Dowd: “I always have a wonderful time, wherever I am, whomever I’m with.” – Elwood expresses his contentment and positive outlook on life, regardless of circumstances.
• Elwood P. Dowd: “Well, I’ve wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I’m happy to state I finally won out over it.” – Elwood explains why he prefers his reality with Harvey over the conventional one.
• Taxi Driver: “They come in here smiling, and they come out fighting mad. Some of them don’t even recognize me anymore.” – The taxi driver warns Veta about the negative personality changes after Formula 977 injections.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.4 million
• Domestic Gross: $6.6 million
• Worldwide Gross: $6.6 million

💥 Harvey Reviews

Personal Review

I adore Harvey! It’s one of those movies that always makes me smile. James Stewart is just perfect as Elwood, so kind and accepting. The scene where he explains to the doctor why he prefers being pleasant is my favorite. I love the ambiguity too – is Harvey real or not? It doesn’t even matter! It left me feeling lighter and wanting to be a better person.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic films”
  • “Those who enjoy heartwarming comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in themes of acceptance and individuality”
  • “Fans of James Stewart”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild references to alcoholism”
  • “Brief depictions of mental health institutions”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Harvey is a delightful and heartwarming comedy that celebrates kindness and the power of imagination, anchored by James Stewart’s iconic performance as the endlessly pleasant Elwood P. Dowd. A timeless classic that leaves you feeling good.
• Variety: “A charming and thought-provoking film that explores the nature of sanity and the importance of being pleasant, featuring a stellar performance by James Stewart and a witty script that keeps you engaged from beginning to end. It’s a movie that stays with you.
• IMDB: “While some find the premise dated, the performances, particularly Stewart’s, and the film’s core message about kindness and embracing individuality still resonate. However, It can be considered ‘cheesy’. Still a film that will make you feel good inside.

Audience Reactions

Jimmy Stewart’s portrayal of Elwood Dowd is considered charming and iconic by most viewers.: The film’s whimsical humor and heartwarming message about kindness resonate with audiences of all ages.

Many love the film’s clever ambiguity surrounding Harvey’s existence, making the viewer question what really matters in life.: People really find the movie thought-provoking on the themes of sanity versus madness.

Overall Consensus: Harvey is a beloved classic celebrated for its heartwarming story, witty script, and James Stewart’s iconic performance. It’s a film that encourages viewers to embrace kindness and question conventional notions of sanity.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress)- 1951

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “James Stewart considered Elwood P. Dowd his most personally significant role, even more so than his roles in ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’.”
• “Josephine Hull, who played Veta Louise Dowd Simmons, won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance.”
• “The film is based on Mary Chase’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name.”
• “The role of Elwood P. Dowd was originally played on Broadway by Frank Fay, who emphasized the alcoholic aspects of the character, whereas Stewart focused on the whimsical side.”

🖥️ How to Watch Harvey?

Harvey is available for purchase or rental on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Harvey, you might like these similar films:

• It’s a Wonderful Life (1946): Both films star James Stewart as a kind-hearted man whose view of the world is challenged, leading to a heartwarming resolution.
• Being There (1979): Shares a similar theme of an innocent and simple-minded character whose unique perspective impacts those around him.
• Amélie (2001): Features a quirky protagonist who finds joy in the little things and spreads happiness to others, much like Elwood.
• Drop Dead Fred (1991): A woman is haunted by a mischievous imaginary friend from her childhood.

🛒 Harvey Related Products

• Harvey (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: This Criterion Collection edition features a pristine restoration of the film, insightful commentary, and bonus features that delve into the movie’s production and cultural impact. A must-have for serious collectors.
• James Stewart: His Life and Films: Dive deeper into the career of the great James Stewart, exploring his life and his most iconic roles including Elwood P. Dowd. Great anecdotes and behind the scenes info.
• Harvey Movie Poster Print: High-quality print of the classic Harvey movie poster.
• Rabbit Plush Toy: Large, fluffy white plush rabbit. It can be a great companion while watching ‘Harvey’.

🎧 Soundtrack

Harvey features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Waltz No. 1 in D-Flat Major, Op. 64, Minute Waltz” – performed by Frédéric Chopin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

This judge is very much against harvey #movie#shorts #video

Ever wondered how a judge would react to someone claiming to have an invisible rabbit friend? This hilarious clip from ‘Harvey’ gives you a taste – the judge’s reaction is priceless!

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