July 21st, 1951-August 11th, 2014
No matter what generation you are a part of, what part of the world you are located in or what kind of genre of film you are most fond of, one of the most recognizable voices in existence was that of Robin McLaurin Williams. The world lost one of the most likable actors of our time, and we lost him to one of the worst diseases out there: Depression. With such a soaring voice– one trickled with joy and affection– coursing through our minds right now as we scramble to pick up our favorite memories of him, it seems almost impossible that such a man could have been plagued with depression. If anything, many of us battled our own demons by watching a movie of his, listening to one of his stand up routines or just following his way of life. He seemed like one of the freest souls on Earth; He was someone who strengthened his soul in ways many of us could only dream about.
He’s been an important figure in the world of comedy since even the late 70’s as Mork (who was an alien). These past few decades we have learned that there is nothing alien about Robin Williams: He is that fire that we all have inside of us that we keep contained. He just decided to show his flame to the entire world, and he brightened up every room (even through the television set). He has been a huge inspiration to many of us, and with a legacy that will unquestionably live on, it’s time to remind ourselves just how capable Robin Williams really was. Sure, he was in some movies that were only worth watching because of him (Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumanji, Jack and more), but he also took part in so many tremendous films that he contributed greatly to. It’s time to reflect on the five best performances in Robin Williams’ filmography, and it’s time to truly acknowledge how naturally gifted he was.
NOTE: EACH OF THESE CLIPS CONTAIN SPOILERS
5. Awakenings
As a doctor in a hospital full of catatonic patients, Robin Williams never tried to be the hero. He could have easily boasted a booming performance that would have painted him to be the focal point of the film. However, when Williams played Dr. Malcolm Sayer, he made him wide eyed, invested and receptive. Robert De Niro delivered a fantastic performance himself, and I feel that a lot of his success came from Williams’ ability to let De Niro do what he had to do. Williams, the same man given a podium in so many films (as his stream-of-consciousness rants are universal), let the movie talk here. By showing the necessary emotions at the right amounts, Williams truly captured the message of the film and showed that we truly can look at life through different eyes at any time.
4. Good Morning, Vietnam
When Robin Williams was starting to be a big name in the film industry, it was Good Morning, Vietnam that made him a defining lead actor. Sure, it was made strong by the improvisational humor Williams was best at, but it fit perfectly well with his role as Adrian Cronauer. He spilled a flow of accents and thought processes but not in an absent minded fashion; He was always aware of his surroundings. He delivered quality, whether it was scripted or unscripted, and he proved that, while he could still inject his unique style of comedy into whatever he pleased, he certainly was not a one trick pony.
3. Dead Poets Society
If Good Morning, Vietnam was a good indication that Robin Williams could adapt his brand of comedy anywhere, it was Dead Poets Society that fine tuned this practice and, perhaps, showed it at its very best. As the teacher John Keating, Williams showcased his ability to imitate any accent but with deeper meanings behind each example (as he personifies Marlon Brando and then John Wayne within the same minute). He never went off the rails, however. He feels like a genuine educator the entire movie, and the greatest kind of educator he could be: The kind you’ve once had and dearly missed. He wasn’t this magical teacher that could only exist within a film, but he wasn’t restrained either. We learn a bit about life and its joys through Williams in this film, and he is what makes Keating truly come to life.
2. Good Will Hunting
Here it is: One of the greatest monologues in cinema history. The best monologues are those that ring true outside of the film’s walls, away from the decade the movie was made and into our souls. Robin Williams is Dr. Maguire, who is one of the very few people willing to give the snotty intellectual Will Hunting a chance. In this speech, Maguire explained that he’s used to hanging onto someone, and he also goes into the many ways we can experience life yet not be defined by textbook examples that link to us. The way Williams delivered this monologue is a big reason why it is so beautiful, and it is quite easily the reason why he was given the Academy Award that year. The entire role is admirable, though, as Williams made this advisor a humble man who has experienced life but seeks to still discover more.
1. The Fisher King
For me, this is the role that contained everything Robin Williams was terrific at. He took on a gentle and caring approach with his role as a struggling homeless man named Parry (again, made real and not into a joke). Parry has experienced some of the worst traumas to man, but it is his will to discover what life can offer that puts a smile on his face. Williams made Parry warm, experienced and authentic. When good happens to him, we are overwhelmed with joy. Then there are the heavier moments of the movie. These scenes are made devastating because of Williams’ real emotions piercing through the celluloid. His screams, wails and anxious gasps are almost too difficult to handle, and his quest to end his misery is one we can relate with too well. He showed his biggest range within this film, and it is a performance that digs into my mind even now. It may easily be one of the best performances of the 1990’s, and, to me, it is definitely the greatest job the late, and great, Robin Williams ever pulled off.
