The Fisher King, Insomnia, The Birdcage, Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, Hook, Good Will Hunting, Good Morning Vietnam, The World According to Garp, World's Greatest Dad, Awakenings. These are the Robin Williams movies I saw in the past week after I heard the news of his tragic death last monday afternoon. Besides the fact they all star Robin Williams, what these movies have most in common is how uncommon they are. This was the trademark of Robin Williams's career. He wasn't just a genius comedian, he was a great actor who could play any role, be it a homeless man suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, a manipulative killer, a gay nightclub owner, a british nanny, an animated Genie, a grown up Peter Pan, a therapist battling his own demons, a radio DJ, and many others.
Even though you couldn't pin Robin Williams to one genre or one type of character, in the 90s he did star in a string of family movies that helped shape my childhood; Hook (1991), Ferngully: The Last Rainforest and Aladdin (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Jumanji (1995), Jack (1996), and Flubber (1997), which I still remember going to see in theaters to celebrate my 11th birthday. In real life Williams was known for his giving nature, and with all these movies he was able to share his gift of joy and laughter with families all over the world, mine included(As I write this, my 3-year old son is watching Aladdin for the 3rd time this week). I believe this giving nature is one of the main reasons Robin Williams was such a fabulous actor.
There is one particular movie in which Williams's character doesn't show up until after the 1-hour mark, but his performance is so good that it makes my list of His 10 Best Roles. And that's exactly where I'll start. Just know that it was very difficult to narrow down Robin Williams's incredible career to just 10 roles. And of course, this list doesn't even include his T.V. career and his unforgettable stand-up routines. For now, let's focus on his most indelible film performances, starting with ...
10) Walter Finch in Insomnia
Why it's on the list:
Because Williams is perfectly cast against type. Because of his face to face scenes with Al Pacino(see above). Because before we get to see his face, we get a very creepy Robin Williams telephone voice that reminded me of John Doe in Seven.
9) Jack Powell in Jack
Why it's on the list:
Because after behaving like a 10-year old for most of his career, this time he actually got to play one. Because even though the movie has its flaws, Robin Williams's performance isn't one of them. Standout scenes include Jack dominating a basketball game with other 10-year olds, Williams, as 10-year old Jack, pretending to be an adult to buy nude magazines, and Jack asking his teacher(Jennifer Lopez) to the school dance.
8) Prof. John Keating in Dead Poets Society
Why it's on the list:
Because even though I didn't love the movie like many others, there is no denying that Robin Williams created one of the most iconic movie teachers ever. Because of "Carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary." Because Williams received his 2nd career Best Actor Oscar nomination for this performance.
7) Parry in The Fisher King
Why it's on the list:
Because this role is Williams at his manic best. Because of Parry's first kiss with Lydia, which could be the most romantic scene in Robin Williams's career. Because of Parry fully nude in Central Park. Because this role earned Williams his 3rd Best Actor Oscar nomination in a 5-year span.
6) Adrian Cronauer in Good Morning, Vietnam
Why it's on the list:
Imagine if the Genie from Aladdin were stuck in a radio booth, that's what you have here. Because of "GOOOOOD MOOOORNING VIETNAM!!!" Because of Williams's, I mean Cronauer's, impromptu stand-up routine for the troops on the caravan, one of the greatest scenes of Williams's career for me. Because of the baseball game with the locals before saying goodbye. Because this role earned Williams a well deserved first career Best Actor Oscar nomination. Watch this clip of Williams's best moments from the film.
5) Seymour 'Sy' Parrish in One Hour Photo
Why it's on the list:
Because this is Robin Williams's greatest on-screen transformation. He is pretty much unrecognizable in this one, not to mention, very scary. Because Williams's excellent portrayal of unhealthy obsession by a photo technician could have quite possibly caused the demise of the "One Hour Photo" lab.
4) Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Doubtfire in Mrs. Doubtfire
Why it's on the list:
Speaking of great on-screen transformations, Williams plays a struggling actor / divorced dad who transforms into a british nanny so he can see his children every day. What makes this performance so great is that you forget Mrs. Doubtfire isn't real since Williams turns her into an unforgettable movie character. At first the transition for "Daniel" is a little rough, particularly when he's cooking dinner for the first time, but once "Mrs. Doubtfire" kicks into high gear you almost forget that "Daniel" is even in there. This is where Williams's performance shines brightest, when, as "Mrs. Doubtfire", the look in his eyes keeps us aware that "Daniel" is still very much underneath. This is most evident when, as "Mrs. Doubtfire", "Daniel" has to listen to his ex-wife explain why she divorced him.
3) Dr. Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting
Why it's on the list:
Because, in my opinion, Dr. Sean Maguire is the most human character of Robin Williams's career. Because of every therapy session with Will Hunting(Matt Damon), starting with "I will end you", continuing with "I gotta see about a girl", and ending with "It's not your fault". Because this role earned Williams a well deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
2) Armand Goldman in The Birdcage
Why it's on the list:
Because Williams plays the "straight" gay man to perfection. Because Armand's love for his partner Albert(Nathan Lane) is unlike anything seen in the rest of Williams's performances. Because of Armand dance-directing. Because of Armand panicking in the kitchen, which could be my favorite scene of Robin Williams's career. The Birdcage is, without a doubt, my favorite Robin Williams movie, and this performance is a huge reason why.
1) The Genie in Aladdin
Why it's on the list:
Because no live-action role could possibly convey Robin Williams's energetic, laugh-a-second style of comedy better than the animated Genie. Because from the moment the Genie came out of the lamp and uttered his first line, "Oi! Ten thousand years will give you such a crick in the neck.", Robin Williams changed the game for voice-over acting in animated movies forever. Because of Williams singing "Friend Like Me" in that first scene. Because I loved the Genie when I was 6 years old and I love him even more now.
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