Jeeze, the man was a genius.. We’ll be here all night with his “best bits”
Popeye, just for its zaniness.
Aladin, for the manic Genie
One Hour Photo, for being creepy
Insomnia, again a physiological thriller and produced by Chris Nolan (yer, him)
The Butler, Civil Rights political drama.
Theres so much more to his manic comedic nature… he played some serious often worrying characters..
Anyway… The Fisher King has always stood out as one of his best as an actor, even though he’s playing himself really, but the part fits. Though I’m biased as a bit of a Terry Gilliam fan.
And to be fair even though it’s a bit saccharin, Mrs. Doubtfire gets a good performance from him.
Dead Poets Society – although maybe that’s an exercise in not going back years later and re-watching. It just didn’t seem as good as when I watched it originally as a teenager. I should have left it in the moment of seeing it as a recent secondary school leaver recognising the inspiration a good teacher can give.
My two favourite roles of his were in Insomnia and 1 Hour Photo – who knew back in the 80s and 90s that he would play a villain so well. Especially in 1 Hour Photo where he took obsessive creepiness to a new level.
Interesting person but I’m in the minority by not liking his zany characters, he was great in The Fisher King though.
Feel the same about Jim Cary with The Trueman Show, and The Eternal Sunshine.
One of the most deeply affecting films I’ve ever seen, especially given I was the same age as the protagonists when I saw it at the cinema, having no prior idea what the film was about.
Watched bits of Dead Poets Society when my sis was watching it on VHS tape, as well as the whole it, so many times (quite possibly more than any other film in my lifetime). Around the time I was doing A-Levels, so similar age to pupils in film.
Patch Adams – the gynaecologist conference.
Good Will Hunting – all of it.
Good Morning Vietnam – “what’s the weather like down there? – It’s gonna be hot, and it’s gonna be wet, which is nice if you’re with a lady, but not if you’re in the JUNGLE!”
Robin Williams and Philip Seymour Hoffman – what a damn shame.
Bobcat Goldthwait’s interview on the Joe Rogan podcast about Robin Williams in well worth a listen for any fans. Goldthwait was apparently his best friend and he goes into some detail about the illness Williams was suffering (and misdiagnosed) towards the end.
I remember really liking The World According To Garp and completely loving Mork And Mindy, but to be fair the guy got kinda schmaltzy, hey? I mean: Jack, Flubber and Patch Adams?!?! Seriously?!?
He always reminded in his work me that life was crazy, often stupid and that we are flawed, but there is hope in being true to yourself and doing the best you can for others.
Absolute legend and my favourite actor when I was growing up. Started with Mork and Mindy and I then made it my ambition to watch every film of his. For some reason the films that stick in my mind are Moscow on the hudsen, awakenings, dead poets and good morning Vietnam. I’ve listened to him speak in interviews and radio programmes and he came across as a lovely human being (alien). Very very sad he felt he had to go.