Robin Williams (1951-2014)
Last night, a man with so much energy, so much passion and so much joy passed away due to the horrible illness that is depression. An illness that to a large amount of people lack substance as an actual illness. Depression is real and fatal. It is not just sadness or in a bad mood and is not solved saying cheer up.
Robin Williams was loved by all, an eccentric human being who had an amazing acting range from magical genie to peter pan to a serial killer. As a kid I fell in love with his films from Francis Ford Coppola directed Jack, still one of my favourite films to watch, Jumanji. “ITS A STAMPEDE!’ However the list goes on ; Hook, Mrs Doubtfire, Toys, Flubber, Patch Adams, Happy Feet, Night At The Museum. All great films that are still enjoyable to this day. I could easily watch all these films right now and while watching wear the cheesiest grin on my face. These films brought so much happiness to people. This is evident in the reaction to his death with the whole of twitter, facebook, tumblr plaster their walls with favourite quotes from a huge array of his films.
Where Robin Williams pulls apart from any other comedic actor is his more serious roles. Dead Poets Society is the first film I saw in his ‘serious’ catalogue. It was a film that was a huge influence to me not just in poetry but in film. ‘O Captain O Captain’, ‘Carpe Diem’. Good Will Hunting is also another one of my favourite films and Robin Williams role was a scene stealer and a well deserved Oscar. One Hour Photo and Insomnia shows a darker side to Robin Williams and was a fresh move in the later part of his career.
Robin Williams brought happiness to a number of generations and will bring even more happiness to future generations. His films are timeless, not just for the comedy but the messages they convey. Dead Poets Society will forever be in my top ten films and recommend anyone to watch. Jumanji is also on that level.
It fills me with overwhelming sadness that a man who brought joy to millions succumbed to a horrible illness. His presence will live on in his work and with the problems he encountered in life, He is at peace now. All I can say to Robin Williams is Thank You.
