Top 5 Robin Williams Films

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I think we're all still trying to absorb the news that the great Robin Williams has passed away of an apparent suicide.The cause of death just makes it sting more. Sometimes the ones that make us laugh are the ones that are hurting the most. It's tragic all around, depression is a nasty disease. I hope one day the stigma around depression and suicide can be lifted. It's not a "selfish" act, it's a desperate one, and words like that can hurt. But I'm going to try to keep this light, because that's what Robin Williams really was for me. He was funny and likable. So much so that I couldn't even watch Jack without crying as a kid (and probably as an adult if I tried again) because the mere thought of people being mean to Robin Williams is un-fucking-bearable. 

 Here are my 5 favorite Williams films. RIP sir, you were a big part of my childhood. 

1) One Hour Photo
This is my all time favorite Williams performance because it was something so different from what I was used to seeing. (I mostly watched his family films at the time)

2) Aladdin
I randomly get "Prince Ali" stuck in my head all the time. William's iconic voice as the Genie was perfect. I loved this one as a kid, and it's one I hope my own child enjoys as well.

3) Bicentennial Man
I went to see this in theaters twice. I was 12 when it came out, and I loved every minute of it.

4) Good Will Hunting
How can I not include his Oscar winning performance? This film is excellent. (and I'm due for a re-watch sometime soon)

5) Mrs. Doubtfire
I will still watch this movie when it's on TV. I thought it was hilarious when I was a kid. I can't even tell you how many times my friends and I would say "p-p-p-p-p-piss off, Lou" to each other. The whole premise is absolutely ridiculous, but the lesson it teaches is not. Plus this tweet from David Neary made me see it in a whole other light, and I'm so glad he shared this with us.

 Honorable Mention: Jumanji, Fern Gully, Insomnia, Dead Poets Society
I'm really due for an Insomnia re-watch as well.

 Never Seen: House of D, The Birdcage. 

Comments

  1. UnknownAugust 12, 2014 at 8:23 AM

    Lovely post :) Robin Williams was a huge part of my childhood too, and the news is just so incredibly sad.
    - Allie

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousAugust 12, 2014 at 8:32 AM

    UGH...this loss is tragic. Mrs. Doubtfire, The Birdcage, The Wold According to Garp, One Hour Photo and Awakenings would probably be my top five, but I have a real soft spot for R.V. I know that it's kind of silly and dumb, but it's hilarious and I associate it with a really special memory.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 12, 2014 at 8:14 PM

      It's not silly when you have a special memory of it! I like awful movies for that reason too.

      I need to see The Birdcage, apparently.

      Delete
  3. m.brownAugust 12, 2014 at 11:37 AM

    Sweet post, Brittani. I'm still very bummed out by this news and can't honestly believe it's true. It sucks.

    Weirder yet, it's not that I was the HUGEST fan or anything, but I just respected how brilliant he was, you know? But I loved him in GWH, unquestionably.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 12, 2014 at 8:13 PM

      Exactly. I may not have been a die hard fan either, but I grew up watching the guy, he was a big part of my childhood.

      Delete
  4. ruthAugust 12, 2014 at 2:03 PM

    I love that you made a top 5 post. I was thinking of doing so but I kept getting distracted by all the clips I saw that I couldn't pick just 5. I still haven't seen One Hour Photo or Bicentennial Man but he was quite scary in Insomnia in a non-comedic role. I think my fave roles of his are Dead Poets Society and Mrs Doubtfire.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 12, 2014 at 8:13 PM

      Dead Poets Society was always kind of "meh" for me at first because I watched it in school and only getting to watch a few minutes at a time is lame, but I enjoyed it a lot more once I got to see it in one sitting.

      Delete
  5. Alex WithrowAugust 12, 2014 at 3:07 PM

    Great work, Brittani. I think One Hour Photo might be my favorite Williams performance as well. But it's such a tough call. I love him in Insomnia, Good Will Hunting, Mrs. Doubtfire... ah, it just never ends. What a sad passing this is.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 12, 2014 at 8:11 PM

      Insomnia is one I really need to watch again. I've had it in my Netflix queue for ages.

      Delete
  6. DellAugust 12, 2014 at 3:22 PM

    Great tribute. I would also go with One Hour Photo for my number one.

    ReplyDelete
  7. UnknownAugust 12, 2014 at 3:45 PM

    Great post! I guess I should see One Hour Photo.

    I love what you wrote, in your opening paragraph, about depression and suicide. I agree 100% with your insights. Like you, I hope someday the burden of stigma and judgment will be lifted.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 12, 2014 at 8:11 PM

      Thanks, I've known too many people suffering from that, and it's so hard.

      Delete
  8. thevoid99August 12, 2014 at 4:49 PM

    One Hour Photo is definitely one of my favorite performances of his because of how tormented and lonely that character is and how he likes to live this life of fantasy. It's a very underrated film. I miss already.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 12, 2014 at 8:10 PM

      Indeed, it is underrated. I re-watched it recently this year.

      Delete
  9. MikeAugust 12, 2014 at 7:32 PM

    Other than One Hour Photo, your list is spot on. I could never get interested in finishing that one. Robin Williams will be forever missed

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 12, 2014 at 8:09 PM

      I think One Hour Photo was the first time I realized that Williams could play an unlikable character and still be awesome.

      Delete
  10. msmariahAugust 12, 2014 at 8:50 PM

    'One Hour Photo' is probably my favorite Williams performance too. It really proved that Williams was more than just a comedic actor. Although it's so strange to see 'One Hour Photo' and see how dated it is, and it was just filmed in 2000! I can't believe how digitized things have become just in 14 years. I also loved him in 'Insomnia.' Given the length and diversity of his career this was a huge loss. On a personal note, 'Popeye' was the very first film my parents ever took me to go see. So I will always remember William fondly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 13, 2014 at 7:16 AM

      I don't think I ever saw the Popeye movie with him. Just the cartoon.

      Delete
  11. Angela's Anxious LifeAugust 12, 2014 at 9:12 PM

    Honestly I can't believe he's gone. I loved the Genie in Aladdin so much. I also really loved Hook and Night at the Museum.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 13, 2014 at 7:05 AM

      I know I've seen Hook, but I honestly don't remember much from it at all. Same with Patch Adams. I just remember the door being between a woman's legs.

      Delete
  12. Candice FrederickAugust 12, 2014 at 9:44 PM

    RIP. And I still need to see Aladdin.

    ReplyDelete
  13. MyerlaAugust 13, 2014 at 8:36 AM

    I was as gutted about the death of Robin Williams as I was gutted about the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman, and now Lauren Bacall has past away.

    One Hour Photo was amazing, Williams' performance was outstanding, he cut such a lonely figure, it was heartbreaking to watch. I feel lonely myself on occasions, so he was in a position I deeply emphasized with.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Eric @ The Warning SignAugust 16, 2014 at 4:47 PM

    These are great picks. I have a huge soft spot for his 90s family films like Hook, Jumanji and Aladdin, and I loved his dramatic work in the 2000s. This is such a devastating loss... I hope that he has found peace.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 18, 2014 at 9:31 AM

      I didn't care for Hook, but I loved Jumanji and Aladdin. I hope he has found peace as well.

      Delete
  15. JoshAugust 22, 2014 at 10:57 AM

    Lovely post. His passing still stings. I liked Bicentennial Man when I first saw it, but it's been years. I love the other films you mentioned. I usually watch some of Mrs. Doubtfire when it's on TV too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brittani BurnhamAugust 22, 2014 at 11:02 PM

      I'm starting to think everyone watches that show when it's on now.

      Delete

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