Marvin Udall Themes

Jack Nicholson’s portrayal of Marvin Udall, a complicated, misanthropic, author who suffers from OCD was amazing. The film accurately depicted someone with OCD. With that being said, there seemed to be more than just OCD being depicted in Marvin. In the beginning of the movie, Marvin dumps his neighbor, Simon’s dog down the garbage shoot. He also accosts fellow diners at his breakfast place for being Jewish (really, he harassed them because they were in his seat). Later, he tells the mother of a sick child that her son will die soon because everyone dies.
I had a hard time finding this movie to begin with. Once I did, I was sucked into its complicated characters and the dynamics between them. I was especially interested in Marvin’s character.

“The specific content of obsessions and compulsions varies between individuals. However, certain themes, or dimensions, are common, including those of cleaning (contamination obsession and cleaning compulsions); symmetry (symmetry obsessions and repeating, ordering, and counting compulsions); forbidden or taboo thoughts (e.g., aggressive, sexual, or religious obsessions and related compulsions); and harm (e.g., fears of harm to oneself or other and checking compulsions) (DSM V, 2013, pgs. 238-239). One of the obsession portrayed in the movie is his fear of contamination. Marvin wears gloves every time he goes out for fear of touching something “unclean”. He then throws those gloves away because in his mind they are contaminated. Marvin washes his hands with a new bar of soap every time. He goes out his way not to be touched. He also brings plastic silverware to the diner. In addition to the contamination related obsession and compulsions, Marvin exhibits repeating. Marvin will turn the lights on and off multiple times. He will check the locks multiple times. Marvin also has some superstitious rituals as well. He will NOT step on cracks. He will to great lengths to avoid it. Marvin also likes things to be organized. Inside Marvin’s apartment there are hundreds of candies assorted by color in