Unsolicited career advice round 2: Robin Williams

[sandar]

dear Mr. Williams,

I hate to be the one to tell you this, man, 'cause you used to be cool beyond measure. You've made me laugh, very hard, especially at the just plain odd things you do, such as your impersonation of Elmer Fudd impersonating The Boss singing "Fire." Unbelievable! "Robin Williams Live at the Met" is a flat-out belly laughing laugh fest from start to finish.

In "Good Morning, Vietnam" you balanced your inimitable, rapid-fire zaniness with a quietly somber side of yourself as everything fell went to pieces around your character. It's an amazing and under-estimated performance. You dazzled as the genii in "Alladin." You topped yourself with "Mrs. Doubtfire." I'll even give you props for "Dead Poets Society" and "Good Will Hunting," though both movies ventured close to squirmy earnestness territory.

So what happened? Why did you take a wrong turn at Albequerque? "Patch Adams"? "Death to Smoochy"? "Jakob the Liar"? Why take these gooey, doe-eyed parts? You still have the fastest-firing synapses on the planet, no question. Please, find a sharp script and a director who knows how to bring out your strengths. Leave the maudlin behind. Embrace the irreverent!

respectfully yours,

Sandar

[Moley]

In "Death to Smoochy," I thought maybe he had been substituted by aliens. Na Nu No No! :shock:

[fantayzya]

I actually kinda liked Patch and Jakob, but Smootchy and also One Hour Photo what a waste. Of pretty much everything from his talent to my time.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

What did you both think of The World According to Garp? I'm mixed on that one.

[sandar]

hi fan,

I've not see The World According to Garp. Would you recommend it? Recommend it with reservations? Who else is in it?

Nice to have you here with us swapping opinions. 8)

yours,

Sandi

[Moley]

Recommend "The World According to Garp" without reservations. He was just spreading his acting wings then, but his talent was quite apparent. John Lithgow gave a stunning performance as did Glenn Close.

[BetsyAnn]

:lol: Alright now - lay off Robin :lol:

He has made a few bombs - but then very few have not made mis-steps in their careers. I did not see the Smooche film nor Jakob - but I happened to think One Hour Photo was done well by him -- he was about a creepy as they come - but that is what he was suppose to be.

World According to Garp is worthy seeing not just for Robin but for several fine performances.

And one more thing -- if you missed Robin on Johnny Carson's last "guest" show - then that is worth a look too!

[fantayzya]

Okay, I'll watch it again and maybe I'll revise my opinion lol. I do have to admit he was creepy. It was just one of those movies that at the end I scrunch up my face and say "Yeah, and?" It felt unfinished to me for some reason. Maybe it's just me.

I thought the scene where he was 'visiting' their home was way creepy though. Gotta admit to heebie jeebies over that one. lol

And yes sandar, I'd reccommend Garp. Though despite it's not being quite so blatant as many of today's flicks, there are some topics covered that might be a bit much for young kids. Totally agreed about Glenn Close and John Lithgow too.

[hollyjokers]

One Hour Photo wasn't my favorite Robin Williams movie, but I have to admit his acting was good, sometimes I had to remind myself who was playing the part. I could (and did) watch him play the Genii in Aladdin a million times, he was so awesome. In high school, my best friend & I had connections and we got into the movies for free - we went & saw "the Best of Times." Robin Williams & Kurt Russell as middle-aged family men playing a grudge match with their high school football team rivals in an attempt to bring some glory into their lives or something. Again, I was in high school so maybe the concept was over my head, but it was so terrible that my girlfriend and I almost peed our pants laughing at the absurdity of the whole thing. Even though I don't think it was supposed to be a comedy, it was so unfunny it was freakin hilarious. I think the thing with Robin Williams & Jim Carrey, sometimes they have so much talent, it can not translate onto film, movie scripts cannot capture what they are best at. Robin's Genii was so terrific because Disney practically gave him free reign & let him adlib and take the character where he wanted to take it.

[WillCAD]

Oy, oy, Holly, Best of Times is one of my favorite Robin Willims movies! Maybe that need to go back and relive the high school years really was lost on you at the time, but something in the movie spoke to me. I love the idea that you can take control of your life and feel better about who and what you are, especially when you show up some jerks who always thought you were nothing in the process.

I loved Robin's and Kurt's performances in this movie.

But I think the best work Robin has ever done was in Awakenings. His performance is often overlooked because of the brilliant work of Robert DeNiro in the film, but I think that Robin's performance was every bit as good as DeNiro's, maybe even better.

All I can say is, he better make more Aladdin movies, because there is no character that showcases his talent more perfectly than the
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[roodad]

I enjoyed Patch, but I think Dr. Adams is a fascinating person. I also enjoyed Awakenings, but again, it may be due to my fascination with Dr. Sayer's books. I thought he was nice and creepy in Insomnia. I missed 1 hr Photo and Jakob. l had high hopes for Death to Smoochy and was terrifically disappointed. I liked him in What Dreams May Come, although the script needed some work. I thought he was great in Deconstructing Harry and in his Wong Foo cameo. I didn't care for Jack, but thought the Birdcage and Mrs Doubtfire were grand. I thought he was the weakest character in Jumanji, but bought the movie anyway - I keep watching it and trying to like it, without much success. Contrary to the rest of the planet, I thoroughly enjoyed Toys. I also liked him in The Fisher King and Good Will Hunting and Hook and Popeye. I have never liked Garp, either as a book or as a movie.
But my favorite role for him is still Mork - I will still occasionally stand in my kitchen, throw an egg into the air and say "Fly! Be free!"

[kathi]

Oh my goodness, I totally forgot about Birdcage...that is an AWESOME movie (and not just because you get to see Gene Hackman in drag at the end!!). Wonderful performances by a bunch of really good/funny actors.

kathi