It came as a shock to read that Robin Williams had passed today, and unfortunately it seems he lost the battle with his inner demons and took his own life, making it all the more tragic. To Honour him, here’s my top 10 favorite Robin Williams Films (It’s very difficult to pick just 10 and even then the order I’ve switched around several times).
This is a Polarizing film, It is a very dark comedy about a disgraced Children’s entertainer who loses his job and decides he needs to kill his replacement “Smoochy” played by Edward Norton
Robin Plays a boy who has been trapped in a board game for 26 years, and is released when 2 children find, and begin to play the game again. Now they have to Finish the game together to stop the destruction the game has unleashed. Starring a young Kirsten Dunst as one of the children playing the game
Jeff Bridges stars as a radio DJ that feels responsible for causing a tragedy to occur, and attempts to redeem himself by helping a mentally disturbed homeless man with his quest for the Holy Grail
7. Good Morning Vietnam – 1987
Robin plays a radio DJ transplanted to the Vietnam war and brings his irreverent style to the job helping the soldiers forget even for a short time what their situation is. His radio dialogue is all done unscripted and shows some of his true brilliance.
A silly premise indeed, but I love this film for it’s heart, and Robin’s ability for insanely funny physical humour.
I still quote his line to Pierce Brosnan in the film. “They went that way deary, it was a drive-by fruiting”
Robin Plays a doctor looking over a ward of catatonic patients from an encephalitis epidemic decades earlier. when a new drug works for his patients including one played by Robert Deniro he “Awakens” as the teenager he was decades before. a truly uplifting film.
Robin and Nathan Lane for the sake of his son, decide to “Act” straight for the visit of his son’s soon to be in-laws and Hilarity ensues. Very over the top story AND Acting, but that’s what makes it so fantastic!
Robin plays Professor John Keating who encourages his students to “seize the day” and break free from societal pressures in this uplifting film starring Robert Sean Leonard and Ethan Hawke.
This film that won Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay is at it’s heart a story about the relationship between Will Hunting, A Janitor Wasting his talent (a Brilliant mathematical mind) working as a janitor, and a Psychiatrist played by Williams who helps him realize his potential. One of my favorite lines ever is in this film: “How do you like Them Apples?!”
Let’s all be honest, this film could be titled Genie: and some kid & monkey. Robin Literally steals this film from start to finish, and I can think of no other example of his PURE Brilliance.
There were other films that were at one point in my top 10 including:
Popeye – 1980 An underrated Gem!
Jack – 1996 another love it or hate it film
Patch Adams -1998 Another underrated gem
What are your favorite Robin Williams Films?
How does your list differ from mine?
I think it’s time for a Robin Williams Movie Marathon to remember and celebrate the loss of one of our Generations Funniest leading men.