Rating: 
Summary: Fond of rumpots, crackpots, and how are you Mr. Wilson?
Review: Elwood P. Dowd has always been one of my very favorite creations of the stage and screen. As James Stewart points out in the introduction to this classic film, he was also one of his. You see, Elwood was a man of the world, with brains, personality, and friends- then he met Harvey. Of course, Harvey didn't really change any of this; Harvey just appeared at the moment Elwood really needed him. You see, Elwood had wrestled with "reality" for 35 years, and he was glad to say that he finally won out over it. Perhaps Harvey was his reward for winning out on it. Elwood had been "oh, so smart", and then he had been "oh, so pleasant"- and he came to find that he greatly recommended pleasant over smart. Perhaps this was why Harvey chose to watch out over him. In any case, Elwood spent the rest of his life visiting bars and taverns, taking the time to listen to all classes of people, inviting them home, taking their minds off of their troubles, introducing them to Harvey.... And Harvey is a very useful being to know, for as Elwood points out, he cannot only overcome Time and Space, but any objections. What is Harvey you ask? Well, Harvey is a Pooka. A Pooka is a mischievous nature spirit known to be fond of rumpots, crackpots- and how are you Mr. ________?
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliantly understated
Review: I cannot think of another movie that shows the breadth of Stewart's acting ability. His portrayal of the gentle, but quietly confident alcoholic was far different than his roles as either a lanky do-gooder, or as a righteous man of principle. Here is Stewart in a perfectly subtle statement on conformity in society and the penalty for those who either conform too much or not enough-and shows that they knew how to make satirical gems way back in the day! This movie is about rigid thinking and and it's effects, both good and bad. Hilarious, too!
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Summary: The Tao of Elwood P. Dowd
Review: Yes, Harvey is one of the great film comedies of the 20th century. Yes, James Stewart is one of the great comic actors of his time. However, to fully appreciate Harvey you must look past the comedic elements in the movie and learn to appreciate the much deeper message.
Elwood P. Dowd was a character created before his time. Long before the beats, the hippies and the punks Elwood was an unapolegetic dropout. Throughout the movie, we learn that Elwood was a fairly distinguished and active member of society beford decideing that it's better to be "oh so pleasant" as opposed to being "oh so smart". He is not a victim who dropped out of everyday society do to unfortunate circumstances, he was apart of society's elite who decided to look at life a different way.
Elwood is a person who learns to "take the time". Whether its taking the time to have a drink with a friend, taking the time to get to know a stranger or taking the time to appreciate the beauty of a flower, Elwood enjoys each day as it is. In a world where we are bombarded with messages from people who are "oh, so smart", take a lesson from Elwood P. Dowd and try " Oh, so pleasant". And you can quote him on that.
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Summary: Elwood Dowd a drunk? I think not!
Review: Even if Mr Dowd was a drunk, I'm sure he'd never come right out and explicitly accuse another of, um, indulging to excess. I don't believe Mr Dowd is anything of the sort; why are only drunks permitted unusual insights? Was the prophet Samuel a drunk? Hardly. Of the entire cast of characters, Mr Dowd is the only truly civilized individual; while the doctors and the nurse approach decency, they are afflicted with the conviction that they are entitled to judge others' ways of life. No, gentle friends, if you enjoy the company of decent, civilized individuals, warm and generous to a fault, I suggest acquiring a copy of this lovely tale.
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Summary: WAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! it's so beautiful, I can't help crying!
Review: The movie Harvey is about a man (Jimmy Stewart) who imagines a giant bunny named Harvey. What follows is an odd, sometimes humerous plot that will leave you in tears. I saw this movie alone and by the end, I was bawling and remembering my stuffed bunny from my childhood. WARNING: you may cry during this movie. Make sure you get some tissues before it starts!
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Summary: Wasscilly Wabbitt
Review: In terms of the misadventure comedy, wherein one wrong turn leads to the next, this is perhaps the granddaddy of them all. At the heart of it is an extremely well-written piece of material. Elwood P. Dowds' sister, at her wits' end because of his acquaintanceship with a 6'3" invisible rabbit, attempts to committ him to a rest home. The result is total chaos that effects everyone, except Elwood and his "very dear friend", Harvey. The chaos snowballs, and so do the laughs. The dialogue is superb, and the story movement is classic in itself. Josephine Hull, as the sister, plays the part to perfection. She has no acrimony towards her brother, only frustration, which is only going to get worse as she goes up against this rabbit, that she knows, deep down, will ultimately get the best of her. And the best for last -- Jimmy Stewart. What else needs to be said? He is at his Jimmy Stewartish best here. I cannot imagine anyone else in this role. He criticized his performance, saying that he played the part too "dreamily". He was wrong. It was perfection. It is exactly this dreamishness that enchants us with Elwood, a man who only sees the good in people, and is only looking to make one more friend. If the world is getting you down, put in "Harvey", and hit Play. I promise you'll feel better. (There's even an introduction by The Man himself)
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Summary: YOU CAN NEVER HAVE TOO MANY FRIENDS
Review: That's right, you can't have too many friends. Or at least, that's what Elwood P. Dowd quips to his sister, Veta Louise, as he invites a total stranger (a taxi driver this time, earlier he invited Mr. Meegles the excon, Dr. Sanderson the psychiatrist, Miss Kelly the nurse, Mrs. Chumley the wife of the head of the insane asylum, and Mr. Shimmelplusser who works the security gate at the asylum) over to their house for dinner. Many fans and film critics refer to Dowd as an alcoholic, and any psychologist worth his salt probably would also when they witness Dowd's nonchalant conversations with his best friend Harvey -- the 6-foot ("6-foot-3-and-a-half, now let's stick to the facts.") invisible rabbit. Interestingly though, I read the other day that throughout the course of the movie, you never see Elwood Dowd consume any alcohol at all. We really don't know what Elwood would be like if the rabbit were not in the picture, although a character in the film gives us a few hints of what it would be like (but I won't spoil that part for you). Probably, it is the rabbit that makes Elwood the poster child for HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE. Elwood is the kind of person you would love to be friends with. He's the kind of person who would rather hear you talk about yourself than bore (or perhaps intrigue) you with all the details of his own life. When it comes time to thank or compliment a person, Elwood does it in full force. Elwood is not easily angered or offended. In fact, the plot of the movie revolves around Elwood's sister Veta Louise trying to have him committed. When Elwood officially discovers this (personally, I think he knew it all the time), instead of being indignant and angry, he compliments her strength and energy. After that, he is asked whether or not he has any righteous indignation, to which he replies that his mother always used to tell him that "in this world...you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant. Well, for years I was smart; I recommend pleasant. And you may quote me." The acting in this film is entirely top notch throughout, right down to Mr. Cracker the bartender (who only had one or two lines). Josephine Hull even won a Best Actress Oscar for her brilliant portrayal of Veta Louise Simmons. And remember, this was back in the days when winning an Oscar actually meant something! I was recently asked who I think is the best female performance I've ever seen in a movie. I had totally forgotten about Josephine Hull, but now, I'd like to go on record saying the hers was by far the very best I have ever seen. You can think of this as a comedy, and that is certainly how it is catgorized. But this is also a sweet and tender story about the joys and values of friendship(s). Although this is one of my all-time favorite movies, I have had to put off reviewing it because I'm afraid my review may not do this great movie any justice. So, if you read the review and then have low expectations of this film, then, please, blame me and watch the movie anyway!
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Summary: Stewart for laughs
Review: Has there ever been another American actor who could have turned in two such dissimilar brilliant performances in one year as James Stewart did in 1950 with "Harvey" and "Winchester 73"? It's hard to believe the same person could inhabit the two roles. Stewart's range as a leading man was quite phenomenal and we see a side of it in "Harvey", pure comedy, that he didn't get enough of in his remarkable career. If only all dipsomaniacs were this amusing. The whole cast is first rate, especially Jesse White as the asylum warder.
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Summary: The warm fuzzies
Review: Every once in a while you see a movie that makes you just feel good. Let's say, for instance, you get cut off on the freeway while heading to work; then when you get there, your desk has been moved into the supply closet; then the same guy who cut you off in the morning cuts you off again on your way home; then you get home to find your wife in bed with your Uncle Morty: and finally, you find that your dog has left you for your neighbor with the bigger yard and the pool. All you'd have to do is throw on your trusty copy of Harvey and you'd be smiling in no time, although it would probably help to beat the snot out of Uncle Morty first. Harvey is just one of those movies that doesn't necessarily captivate your mind, but it does a number on your heart. Elwood P. Dowds is one of those characters that doesn't exist in reality and it's a shame that there aren't people like him. In his immortal words, "My mother once told me that in this world you have to be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant. For years I was smart. I recommend pleasant." Jimmy Stewart is magnificent. Nobody could bring this role to life the way he did. In recent years the only movie I've seen that really made me feel as good as I did the first time I saw Harvey, was Amelie, and for me to compare anything to Amelie is really saying something. For anyone who loves Jimmy Stewart, pookas, or is just having a bad day, this is the movie for you. I'm not one to make broad generalizations, but anyone who doesn't like this movie probably doesn't have a reflection.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the Best!!!
Review: Elwood P. Dodd (Jimmy Stewart) shines in this film about an eccentric man who believes he sees a Pookah (a big rabbit). Of course Stewart's character is so nice, you just want to go out and find him and have him invite you over to dinner with him. And that, of course, is what Mr. Dodd does. He invites everyone over to dinner, and hands out his business card (you don't really ever understand what kind of work he's in), and then he's seen as a little nutty because he wants to introduce everyone to "Harvey", the rabbit. Made in 1950, thereaboouts, this tale is a heartwarming one, and it highlights the goodness in people, and if only such goodness existed, this would be such a nice place. Jimmy Stewart is totally charming in this movie, as he has been throughout his career, and it's a movie to watch over and over again. Highly recommended!! I wish I could give it a 25.
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