Robin Williams – Top 10 Films R.I.P.

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 favourite Robin Williams Films (It’s very difficult to pick just 10 and even then the order I’ve switched around several times).

10. Death to Smoochy -2002

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

9. Jumanji -1995

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

8. The Fisher King – 1991

Jeff Bridges stars as a radio DJ who 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.

6. Mrs Doubtfire – 1993

A silly premise indeed, but I love this film for its 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”

5. Awakenings – 1990

Robin Williams 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 De Niro, he “Awakens” as the teenager he was decades before. A truly uplifting film.

4. The Birdcage – 1996

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!

3. Dead Poets Society -1989

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.

2. Good Will Hunting -1997

This film that won Matt Damon and Ben Affleck an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay, is at its 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 favourite lines ever is in this film: “How do you like Them Apples?!”

1. Aladdin – 1992

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.

These other films were at one point in my top 10, including:

Jack – 1996 another love it or hate it film

Patch Adams -1998 An underrated gem

Popeye – 1980 Another underrated Gem!

What are your favourite 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 generation’s funniest leading men.