10 Things We Learned From Robin Williams Movies
Robin Williams touched us all with his amazing acting. Here are some of his best roles.
The death of Robin Williams in 2014 robbed the world of one of the finest actors of his generation. Though sometimes associated mainly with comedy, it is now generally acknowledged that Williams was also a formidable talent in drama.
What’s more, many of his films contin lessons that are valuable, especially now, when the world seems like such a dark and dangerous place. Here are the ten most important lessons that we learned from watching the films of Robin Williams.
Memory andThe World According to Garp
In a particularly moving scene, the titular Garp (Robin Williams) reminds his wife Helen to always remember everything, rather than just choosing to remember the positive. It’s an important message for everyone, especially since we all have a tendency to want to forget about those things that cause us pain. Sometimes, though, it’s important to remember that our lives and ourselves are shaped by the negative things as well as the positive, as Garp himself seems to realize
Good Morning Vietnamand the Power of Laughter
This film, in which Williams portrays a DJ who is very popular with the troops but not his superiors, was a critical and commercial success, netting Williams an Academy Award nomination. It also has an important lesson for all of us, especially in these trying times, and that is this: that even in the darkest hours of the human heart, a little bit of comedy and humor go a long way toward making the world more bearable. It’s sometimes a hard lesson to remember, but it’s a vital one.
Good Will Huntingand True Love
Every so often, a film comes along that really makes you think about the nature of love, how we conceive of that strangest and most powerful of human emotions.
Good Will Hunting forces us to acknowledge that part of what gives true love its profound charge is the fact that, when you experience it in its purest form, it makes you love something more than you love yourself. It’s also a potent reminder that, in order to love, you also have to render yourself vulnerable.
Aladdinand the Nature of Freedom
Though the Genie in Aladdin is one of the funniest characters in the film, his exuberance masks a deep unhappiness that comes from the fact that he is enslaved to the lamp, condemned to serve master after master. When, at the end of the film, he finally attains his freedom, you can see the true happiness that motivates him. The lesson here is to learn how to live your own truth so that, in the end, you can be your own master.
Mrs. Doubtfireand the Diversity of Family
There’s a lot to love about the film Mrs. Doubtfire. It is, without a doubt, Robin Williams at the height of his comedic powers, and there’s an essential goodness to the film that makes it an easy one to enjoy, even so many years after it was released. Just as importantly, it also contains an important lesson. Though families come in many different configurations and sizes, the most important thing for everyone involved, both children and parents alike, is that there is love.
Jumanjiand the Scars of the Past
Sometimes, it’s hard to let go of the past. It haunts us, reminding us of the things that we did wrong or that were done to us. As a result, it can sometimes be difficult to look forward, not back, to remain fixated on what has happened rather than on what we can accomplish in the future. Jumanji reminds us that there is power to be had in overcoming our pasts, in avoiding the path of darkness and despair.
The Birdcageand the Power of Being Yourself
The Birdcage is, without a doubt, one of the best and funniest and most warm-hearted of Robin Williams movies. In it, he plays Armand, one half of a gay couple (the other, Albert, being played by that other comic genius Nathan Lane) whose son falls in love with the daughter of a conservative senator. Hijinks ensue, but in the end, they all come to realize that it is more important to live as oneself rather than to pretend to be something else in a vain effort to get approval.
Patch Adamsand the Power of the Positive
Though Patch Adams wasn’t everyone’s favorite film at the time of its release (the critics seemed to think that the film was a bit too obvious in its message, though audiences seemed to like it), there are still a lot of lessons in its story about a doctor who believes that it is important to treat not just the body but also the soul.
It’s not enough to simply treat someone’s physical ailments without also paying attention to what afflicts their mind and their soul.
Bicentennial Manand Finding Your Purpose
Though this film was, unfortunately, a box office bomb, it’s still a compelling story (which is hardly surprising, since it was based on a novel by Isaac Asimov and Robert Silveberg, two of the giants of science fiction). In part, it explores the question of what makes us human as well as how we determine our purpose when our actions seem to be determined by others. The lesson is that you have a purpose; it is up to you to find it.
Hookand Living Life to the Fullest
In the years since its release Hook, a film that explores the question of what happened to Peter Pan after the events of his original story, has become something of a cult favorite. It’s also a profoundly moving film, as it is largely about Peter’s efforts to reclaim his memories and become a more joyful person. Hook is a potent reminder to all of us to take a little more time to slow down and enjoy life, living it to its fullest and making the most of every moment given to us.
