Fans of Robin Williams were shocked and saddened by his suicide in August 2014. In sitcoms, standup comedy routines, and films, Williams's work was defined by imagination and almost manic improvisation, but also featured elements of sensitivity and emotional depth, not to mention impeccable comedy craftsmanship. This PBS-aired tribute from the Pioneers of Television series remembers the best of Williams, here described as a "tornado in person." Originally determined to be an actor, Williams attended Julliard, where he was mentored by the great actor and producer John Houseman. Williams found major success in 1978 as an alien in Mork & Mindy (playing a character introduced on the comedy Happy Days). Mork allowed Williams to work with his idol, legendary comic Jonathan Winters. After the show ended in 1982, Williams hit his comic stride in a string of hit feature films that included Mrs. Doubtfire, the animated Aladdin, and Good Morning, Vietnam, with more serious turns in Dead Poets Society, The Fisher King, The World According to Garp, and Good Will Hunting (winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor). During his early Hollywood days, Williams ran with a fast, drug-taking crowd, until the death of friend John Belushi led him into a long period of sobriety. The documentary notes his work with "Comic Relief" on behalf of the homeless, and his untiring efforts visiting the frontlines to entertain troops. Friends and colleagues including Whoopi Goldberg and Pam Dawber recall his comic genius and generosity, while archival interviews with Williams himself find the multitalented entertainer looking back on his career. Although the ending feels truncated—skipping over Williams's lapse from sobriety, increasing depression and health problems, and sad last days—this is a fine memorial to a comic genius. Recommended. Aud: P. (S. Rees)
Robin Williams Remembered
(2014) 60 min. DVD: $19.99 ($47.99 w/PPR). PBS Video. SDH captioned. ISBN: 978-1-62789-184-4. Volume 30, Issue 2
Robin Williams Remembered
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