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by Frank Showalter

Harvey

A-: 4.5 stars (out of 5)
1950 | United States | 104 min | More...
Reviewed Aug 8, 2007

Harvey is a charming movie with a rough beginning.

Josephine Hull overacts and everyone behaves like a caricature, but the second James Stewart enters you realize why this movie is considered a classic.

Stewart plays an amiable man with a friend only he can see: a six foot three inch talking rabbit named Harvey.

Stewart’s performance is so easy and natural, you’re instantly charmed just like the characters in the film. Now don’t get me wrong, I realize the point of the opening sequence it to contrast the supposedly “sane” people with Stewart’s supposedly “crazy” character, but it’s still over the top and off-putting.

That aside, the movie only gets better, leading up to a note-perfect ending that can’t help but leave you with a smile.