Article by Adam Mast
As a 9 year old boy, I was transfixed by a t.v. show called MORK AND MINDY. I simply couldn’t get enough of it. The goofy, high energy, man-child persona at the heart of that show was created by up and coming stand up comic, Robin Williams. This winning personality had a handful of other appearances up until that point—THE RICHARD PRYOR SHOW, EIGHT IS ENOUGH, LAUGH IN, HAPPY DAYS, etc.–but it was his manic (and charming) role as the lovable Mork from Ork that truly introduced Williams to the world.
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Two short years later, Williams would portray a live action version of an iconic toon in a movie directed by Robert Altman. That film, of course, was POPEYE. While this sweet-natured musical (the lullaby still chokes me up) wasn’t exactly a critical success, Williams was praised for his creative turn as the famed sailor, and kids like me positively adored the movie.
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The 80’s would continue to find Williams honing his craft in funny, charming, quirky, whimsical movies like THE WORLD ACCORDING TO GARP and MOSCOW ON THE HUDSON, but 1987’s GOOD MORNING VIETNAM would be the true turning point in his career. As radio personality Adrian Cronauer, Williams showed that he could fuse laugh out loud comedy and emotionally gripping drama with effortless ease.
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What would follow would be a lengthy string of box-office hits including HOOK, MRS. DOUBTFIRE, JUMANJI, THE BIRDCAGE, FLUBBER, PATCH ADAMS, NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM, and HAPPY FEET, and amidst the numerous hits, Williams would alternate between his stand-up gigs (including his iconic appearances with COMIC RELIEF) and passion projects that weren’t always necessarily about a big pay day (see JAKOB THE LIAR, DEAD AGAIN, WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, HAMLET, DESCONSTRUCTING HARRY, and THE ADVENTURES OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN.)
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Were there misfires? Well, that’s a matter of opinion, but for my money, the occasional Williams misfire was perfectly fine if it meant that we’d get a FISHER KING and a DEAD POETS SOCIETY in return. This is to say nothing of Williams’ challenging (and edgy) turns in efforts like INSOMNIA, ONE HOUR PHOTO, WORLD’S GREATEST DAD, THE FINAL CUT, and THE NIGHT LISTENER.
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Sadly, the great Robin Williams is no longer with us but he leaves behind a brilliant collection of cinematic efforts for us to remember him by. Be it his unforgettable stand-up, his hilarious comedic roles, or his stellar dramatic efforts, there is no denying that this man was a genius, and rather than mourning him, I thought I’d offer up a list of 5 Robin Williams essentials in celebration of this most influential life. He brought joy to millions of people around the world, and he’ll bring joy to millions more.
Thank you for the unforgettable memories, Mr. Williams.
5 ROBIN WILLIAMS ESSENTIALS
ALADDIN
Given Robin Williams’ animated spirit, it seemed only fitting that he’d go on to do a voice in a Disney cartoon, but who would have thought that his turn as Genie would be the comical cinematic achievement of his career? Williams expends enough energy in this magical Disney effort to fill 20 animated features. His brilliantly exhausting improvisational style is perfectly suited for this material and in the end, he carries the joyful ALADDIN on his big blue shoulders.
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AWAKENINGS
If I had to pick my favorite Robin Williams performance, this very well could be it. AWAKENINGS is the true story of a physician who would go on to treat a handful of catatonic patients in a Bronx based medical facility during the 1960’s. One magical summer, a miracle would take place. As the lonely and compassionate Dr. Malcolm Sayer, Williams gives the most restrained performance of his illustrious career. Aside from his stunning work as an individual, it is his chemistry with an equally effective Robert DeNiro that take this Penny Marshall film to such dramatic (and powerful) heights. I saw this film six times in the theater shortly after it opened in December of 1990. I was 21 at the time and it left a big impression on me. It still does. AWAKENINGS is a life affirming film, and it features two masterclass performers at the top of their game.
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THE FISHER KING
The pairing of Robin Williams and director Terry Gilliam is the cinematic equivalent of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. As a kid, TIME BANDITS was one of my favorite movies, so when I heard that the director of that picture would be joining forces with Robin Williams on a project called THE FISHER KING, I was instantly intrigued. To my great delight, THE FISHER KING ended up being brilliant for reasons I wasn’t expecting. As lost soul Parry, Williams brings the funny in this fantasy tale about a homeless simpleton who teams with shock jock Jack (played by an amazing Jeff Bridges) in an effort to complete a most fantastical quest. The true power of this eccentric, offbeat gem of a movie comes in the form of Parry’s gripping back story. While THE FISHER KING certainly has comical elements, this is, at heart, a hard hitting redemption story. Powerful stuff!
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GOOD WILL HUNTING
Robin Williams is a comical mastermind, there’s no doubt about it. Having said that, I’ve always found myself gravitating more towards his dramatic work. GOOD WILL HUNTING won Williams his first and only Oscar and it was well deserved. In the film, Williams plays Sean Maguire– a psychiatrist who develops an unshakable bond with a troubled genius (played by a stellar Matt Damon). Watching Williams work his magic in GOOD WILL HUNTING is a sight to behold. Look no further than the movie’s most powerful scene, in which a heartfelt Maguire explains to Damon’s Will Hunting that the issues that have plagued his life since childhood, were not his fault. As Maguire slowly strips away Hunting’s hardened exterior, this father figure and the son he never had, embrace in an emotional powerhouse of a movie moment that I’ll never forget. Gus Van Sant directed Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s extraordinary script to absolute perfection, but it’s Williams who anchors this movie with a meticulously nuanced performance that is warm, vulnerable, and unforgettable.
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POPEYE
Right up front, let me profess that I LOVE THIS MOVIE!! I love Robin Williams in the lead! I love the Harry Nilsson songs! I love the setting! I love Shelley Duvall’s take on Olive Oil! I love Robert Altman’s direction! I love it all! Is this nostalgia talking? Maybe a little bit, but let me just say this…I revisited POPEYE with my kids recently and I love it now as much as I did when I was a child. POPEYE wasn’t a critical success when it opened nearly 35 years ago, but for me personally, there’s always been something magical about it and it all starts with Williams’ portrayal of Popeye. The physicality of it, the vocal work, the mumbling under his breath, etc. Simply delightful. And the film as a whole is wonderfully strange and charming. I adore this film. It isn’t my favorite Robin Williams movie, but every time I watch it, it brings a smile to my face.
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“What we do know is that, as the chemical window closed, another awakening took place; that the human spirit is more powerful than any drug – and THAT is what needs to be nourished: with work, play, friendship, family. THESE are the things that matter. This is what we’d forgotten – the simplest things.”
