Weekend Cinema Spotlight: Harvey

"Harvey" (1950)

Imagine a 6"3 bunny following you around and talking to you? Okay, when I think about it I kind of feel a tad bit scared, but Jimmy Stewart was the brave one! Not only did he take this role head on but he made friend with an invisible bunny rabbit!!! LOL

Harvey is about man named Elwood P. Dowd (Stewart) whose best friend is a six foot invisible bunny rabbit named Harvey. He introduces everyone to Harvey and after some time his family becomes concerned about his mental state. His sister tries to have him place in a sanatorium but it is that action that leads to everyone around Elwood to grow accustomed to hearing about Harvey and some even truly believing that he is real-including his own doctor!

The true nature of the Easter season is having faith that a man named Jesus who was God's only son was born into our world so we can learn to be better human beings. Because of those lessons that he taught he would eventually sacrifice himself for the better of mankind. The belief is that if you believe in him that you receive eternal life. Now, I am not giving you this brief religious lesson to preach or to even share my own personal beliefs. But to acknowledge that it is during this season and many others that people hold their faith in the impossible.

The fact that Elwood truly believes that this six foot bunny is real is a testament to ones ability to have faith in the impossible. I have to tell you, I even questioned whether Harvey was real throughout the film but I realized towards the end of the film that it doesn't matter whether or not I believe he is really there. The character of Elwood believed it and because of that it made him a better person. He brought no harm to others and in fact inspired others to attempt in believing in what they cannot see.

Elwood had faith in Harvey just as we should have faith in ourselves and others...just as those during this Easter season have their faith as well.

On that note, I hope you watch this film one day. Stewart is charming and the cast really holds their own.

Happy Easter!!

xox