With the coronavirus pandemic still creating havoc around the world, I thought it was timely to talk a little bit about What's So Bad About Feeling Good?, a light-hearted comedy about a very different type of virus, one that makes you happy and kind. A little known film, which unfortunately bombed upon its release and was quickly forgotten, it's now a perfect diversion for those feeling down and heavy because of Covid-19. When seen against the backdrop of the current outbreak, there are some surprising parallels between how the authorities react to deal with this 'feel-good' virus and the present situation, especially as the story is set in New York City, which has been particularly hard hit by the coronavirus.
The premise is as original as it is ridiculous: good feeling is being spread by a toucan on the loose, and can be further transmitted upon contact (in much the same way as the coronavirus). It first hits a down beaten hippie community that has adopted lethargic depression as an existential philosophy and spreads throughout NY from there. While there does not seem to be any negative sides to the contamination (after all, what's so bad about feeling good?), the powers that be, led by a neurotic buffoon (delightfully played by Dom DeLuise), are bent on eradicating both virus and toucan, as you just can't have New-Yorkers running around feeling happy and polite, and not caring a damn about competing in the rat race...plus it's obviously a commie scheme to undermine the USA. In that respect, the film uses the spread of the so-called virus to make some fairly smart comments and mild criticism of modern society. There are also some amusing takes on hippie and beatnik culture of the time that contribute to the good-natured fun. Much of humor is silly, but George Peppard, Mary Tyler Moore and DeLuise manage to make the whole thing mildly entertaining. Unfortunately, the plot does not develop its premise in particularly inventive directions, ultimately focusing more on the efforts of the authorities to combat the infection than depicting its actual spread within the society writ large and the potentially crazy and amusing repercussions and situations that could have resulted. While Peppard and Tyler Moore are an engaging starring duo, there is limited development of their characters or their relationship. I was left with the feeling that this was a great idea that should have led to more entertaining possibilities. Still I found the overall result somewhat above average considering the originality of its starting point, some good jokes and satirical observations, and satisfying performances.
