A lot of his films have been previewed on Television in the last few weeks, and rightly so, they prove that he really was a chameleon; able to fit himself into all manner of characters.
The one that stood out however was Good Will Hunting (1997) which won him the Best Supporting Actor at the 1998 Oscars. I sat and watched this film last week with my family and can honestly say I was astounded by his performance. I had seen the film in the past, quite a few years ago and I remember him being good, but not this good.
He showed a hidden depth and vulnerability he was able to hide with his comic roles, of which he will no doubt be remembered but I think everyone should witness his performance in this film, it shows what he was....Extraordinary!
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Running Time: 1 Hour 55 mins
Genre: Crime/Thriller
Director: Christopher Nolan
Stars: Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank
This is a brilliant thriller from the Director come legend Chris Nolan, as with all of Nolan's films across the board the focus is on the script; and it would have to be a great one to attract Oscar winners Pacino, Williams and Swank who have a total of four Academy Awards between them. Pacino is an experienced cop brought in to a town which never sees darkness to solve a murder. Williams is brilliant in a rare turn as the bad guy whose crimes can't be traced and is taking great pleasure toying with the exhausted cop.
Running Time: 1 Hour 45 mins
Genre: Fantasy/Adventure/Family
Director: Joe Johnston
Stars: Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst
A childhood favourite of any nineties child, I have fond memories of repeated viewings of Williams as Alan Parrish a young boy who finds a game and upon playing disappears into it only to reappear 30 years later to finish the game and restore the lives of all the players to normality. This fantasy film still holds up today it has a great story which was taken seriously by the brilliant cast and features many special effects that still look stunning.
But the whole film would be nothing without Williams, as usual he is excellent in the role.
Running Time: 2 Hours 05 mins
Genre: Drama
Director: Peter Weir
Stars: Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard
One of few films Williams is remembered for playing a serious role, but one of his best. He plays new English teacher John Keating who inspires his students in an all boys school through poetry to seize the day and be more than they think they can be. His teaching though brief stays with each student and changes them for life. The last scene in this movie would in itself be a moving tribute to Williams on his passing. A fantastic film, highly underrated, Oh Captain, my Captain!
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Running Time: 2 Hours
Genre: War/Comedy/Drama
Director: Barry Levinson
Stars: Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker, Bruno Kirby
There has never been and never will be a performer as fast and improvising as Robin Williams. He proves this with his exceptional performance as Adrian Cronauer an unconventional DJ who is sent to the Army radio station in Vietnam and leaves a verbal hurricane in his wake.
This is a very moving film as well as being hilariously funny. Williams has always been a master at mixing both humour and heart. He captures the seriousness of war as well as splitting our sides with outrageous jokes.
Running Time: 2 Hours 10 mins
Genre: Fantasy/Drama/Romance
Director: Chris Columbus
Stars: Robin Williams, Embeth Davidtz, Sam Neill
A strange Sci-fi about an android in the future who learns what it is to be human and begins a lifetime attempt to become one, to find himself and for the love of a family and one woman.
It is a story that crosses a great period of time, Williams is convincing in his role as a robot progressively becoming more human. Davidtz plays multiple roles and at different ages, it is credit to both the performers that the audience can easily differentiate between characters and ages.
A great movie from a great Director; Chris Columbus who in 2 short years would give us Harry Potter.
05 - Good Will Hunting (1997)
Running Time: 2 Hours 05 mins
Genre: Drama
Director: Gus Van Sant
Stars: Robin Williams, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck
This is without a doubt one of the greatest roles of William's career, the Oscar winning screenplay was written by two young boys Matt Damon and Ben Affleck whose own careers started due to this film. Williams won the Best Supporting Oscar for his role as Sean Maguire a grieving psychologist assigned to help Will Hunting (Damon) a young mathematical genius with a lot of problems. The performances here are stunning, the scene in the park is outstanding, the speech Williams gives is by far some of the greatest acting and scriptwriting in cinema.
04 - Hook (1991)
Running Time: 2 Hours 20 mins
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy/Family
Director: Steven Spielberg
Stars: Robin Williams, Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts
This is one of many great family films that Robin Williams has made. As a child, this story of a grown up Peter Pan (Williams) who has no memory of his former life but is forced to remember when his old nemesis Captain Hook (Hoffman) kidnaps his children captivated me. I cannot count how many times I have seen it, the adventure, the cast and the score (John Williams) enthralled again and again. Watch this and bring out your inner child.
Running Time: 1 Hour 50 mins
Genre: Family/Comedy
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Stars: Robin Williams, Diane Lane, Jennifer Lopez
Another of my childhood favourites; looking back my childhood was filled with Robin Williams. This is an extremely funny yet moving film about a boy who has an ageing disorder; he is ageing at four times the normal rate. Therefore by the age of ten he looks like a 40 year old man. Coppola an odd choice for this style of film creates a heart-warming story of friendship, growing up and trying to fit in with a backdrop of scientific fantasy. Williams is perfectly suited to the role of Jack Powell a 10 year old starting fifth grade as the ultimate outsider. You can't help but love this film, a must see Williams performance.
02 - Patch Adams (1998)
Running Time: 1 Hour 55 mins
Genre: Biography/Comedy/Drama
Director: Tom Shadyac
Stars: Robin Williams, Monica Potter, Philip Seymour Hoffman
The biography of Doctor Patch Adams whose philosophy on helping patients in the 1970's was based on using humour was a perfect fit for Robin Williams. He could almost effortlessly get the right mix for the comic moments and serious drama.
This is a great film to show off Williams' talents, you laugh and cry and are genuinely moved by both performance and story.
Running Time: 2 Hours 05 mins
Genre: Comedy/Drama/Family
Director: Chris Columbus
Stars: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan
A one man show of all the greatest aspects of Robin Williams skill, Mrs Doubtfire is one of his greatest achievements. Seeing him portray Daniel Hillard an actor invested more in his children than anything else. After a bitter divorce from his wife (Field) in which he is given only one day a week visitation rights he decides to dress up as an old English housekeeper; Euphegenia Doubtfire to be near his children, with hilarious results. An extremely funny film but with a lot of serious aspects hidden beneath the humour. A must see for any Williams fans.
It is sad to think that there will be no more films to come from the great comedian. From first leaping onto the scene as alien Mork from Ork in Mork & Mindy (1978-1982) through his greatest family films, his comedy and his serious portrayals which took us all by surprise Robin Williams has brought an indescribable amount of joy to millions. I am sure many will flock to see his last performance in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb released at Christmas. We are privileged he has left us this amazing legacy so we can forever see his amazing work.
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