When it comes to totally iconic actors, Robin Williams is up there with the best of them.
From Good Will Hunting to Jumanji to Patch Adams, he starred in some totally amazing films over the years, and people have recently been talking about them. A conversation recently emerged on Reddit when fans were openly talking about what they think his best movie is.
The actor, who tragically died at the age of 63 in 2014, was loved by movie fans around the world. Even today, people still can’t get over how talented he was.
Talking about his best movies, one person said: “Hook. That movie was so good as a child and I can’t see anyone else as old Peter Pan.” Another wrote: “Good Will Hunting. His monologue when they’re sitting in the park is probably the best monologue in cinema history.”
A third also replied: “What Dreams May Come is really good. Dead Poet’s Society too. I haven’t watched Patch Adams in a while, but I’d say that’s up there too.”
But, even though people have all sorts of thoughts regarding his best work, it turns out the actor actually had a favourite role. Not long before his death, Williams is reported to have taken part in a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session.
During this time, he was asked several questions about all sorts of different topics. At the time, he openly talked about how much he adored his wife’s art and even confessed that he loved impersonating Jack Nicholson.
He also revealed that Isaac Asimov’s Foundation trilogy was his favourite book series. But, when asked what his favourite role of all time was, he had a surprising answer.
Wiliams told fans Dr. Malcolm Sayers in Penny Marshall’s 1990 film Awakenings was his favoured role. It took many by surprise, as they thought he would have chosen one of his better-known films.
None the less, the actor claimed the role was a “gift”. The part in question was based on British neurologist Oliver Sacks who worked with survivors of sleeping sickness. The actor was thrilled to have the chance to meet Sacks, and praised the doctor’s ability to “explore the human brain from the inside out”.
Playing the role also kickstarted his lifelong fascination with human behaviour. The film’s director, Penny Marshall, previously said: “I think when Oliver first met Robin, he was amazed at Robin’s ability to imitate. Robin could do all of Oliver’s moves, and I think it made Oliver a little nervous.”
Awakenings (1990)
If you haven’t seen it, Awakenings is a 1990 American biographical drama film which stars Robert De Niro, Robin Williams, Julie Kavner, Ruth Nelson and John Heard. It’s inspired by Oliver Sacks’s 1973 non-fiction memoir, which carries the same title.
The film tells the story about fictional neurologist Dr. Malcolm Sayer (Williams), whose character is inspired by Sacks. It starts back in 1969 when Sayer discovers the beneficial effects of a drug called L-DOPA.
He then works to administer the drug to catatonic patients who managed to survive the 1919–1930 epidemic of encephalitis lethargica. One of the patients, and main characters, is Leonard Lowe (De Niro).
He is one of many who are awakened after decades, and viewers see him try and come to terms with life at a new and strange time. The movie was praised both critically and at the box office.