Tag: robin williams

Let me sleep. “Insomnia” (2002)

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directed by Christopher Nolan
© 2002 Warner Bros. Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Nolan cannot make a film that is clear and simple. It has to be a mix of several stories mingled into one, and yet you feel like he could easily add at least three more. I’ll try to introduce you to this film in the easiest way possible, but mind the fact that I’m explaining Nolan’s production. Anyway, there’s a crime in Nightmute, Alaska. A teenager is found murdered without any evidence left. Since the case seems complex, the local officers request help from two LA detectives – Will Dormer (Al Pacino) & Hap Eckhart (Martin Donovan). While trying to catch the murderer, Dormer makes a huge mistake – he shoots his colleague instead. The man suffers from insomnia, which led to his lack of clear thinking. Eckhart dies and Dormer knows he has to lie about this situation. If he admits that he’s the one shooting, that may be the end of his career. Especially, since Eckhart was about to testify againt Dormer in front of Internal Affairs, so it would be obvious that the murder wasn’t accidental. That is why the detective says his colleague was shot by the suspect. Unfortunately, not every clue supports this version. As I said, the story is complex, but very engaging as well. At some point, you’re not sure whether the protagonist is the good guy or the bad one. It seems like he’s an excellent detective, but on the other hand, he’s made a rookie mistake due to his personal issues. The longer you watch the film, the more it looks as if you, as a viewer, were dealing with insomnia. The pace of the story and even the light resemble such insomniac mood. Although this thriller was made over 20 years ago, you may still feel an incredible tension. Besides, in my opinion, older thrillers were more… thrilling. The new productions are rather predictable and copy-pasted. So if you want to see a classic, try to solve a mysterious case and join an insomnia simulator – this film should satisfy all those needs.

My rating: 7/10
S.

How many fingers do you see? “Patch Adams” (1998)

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directed by Tom Shadyac
© 1998 Universal Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Are you having a difficult day? Do you feel like you’re done with everything? Then let me propose a wonderful film for such a blue day. And if you’re actually in a good mood, then why not making it even better? Today I’d like to recommend you a biographical production about one of the most wonderful people that have been born on this planet. Or maybe not even on this planet because considering what this man has done and how extraordinary his actions have been, that must be some out of space energy. Hunter Adams (Robin Williams) has been struggling with suicidal thoughts therefore he decides to stay in a mental institution. There, the man meets several people who need a lot of help that they are not receiving from the specialists, so he starts treating them in some way. At some point he realises that he enjoys supporting other patients in their everyday life, so he leaves the institution to… study medicine. Apparently, that’s the new life purpose Hunter finds and wishes to pursue. Or I should rather say Patch, because that’s the nickname he’s given at the institution and continues to use it. During the studies, which are going very well for him, the man notices that doctors don’t pay enough attention to patients and rather treat them as cases instead of human beings. Quite against all possible rules, Patch starts practising a new method of treating patients, which is combining his knowledge and skills gained at university with laughter therapy, because he believes that people get better much faster if they’re in a good mood. Obviously, a lot of serious doctors disapprove of his actions, but that’s something you will see watching the film. However, this is one of those stories that are incredibly important to me as Patch is a man that should be a real example to all of us. Because not only doctors should be more human, we all should. No matter what we do, we may often treat other people like cases, numbers, yet there are humans just like us on the other side. I know that some critics have found this film too obvious or fictionally dramatic, but I feel like that’s the charm of cinema, especially from the 90s. Still, I love this production and I love Williams in the role of Patch, which makes it even more emotional to watch considering what happened to the actor in real life. And I find it beautiful that there are such people like Patch who, despite difficulties in their life, decide to focus their energy on helping others. True inspiration, so make sure to get inspired as well.

My rating: 8/10
S.

What year is it? “Jumanji” (1995)

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directed by Joe Johnston
© 1995 TriStar Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

This film is very special for me. I saw it several times when I was a child. It’s much better than most cartoons I remember. The whole story is very entertaining, but for me back then, it was also creepy as hell. But first let me introduce you it. The main character is Alan Parrish (Adam Hann-Byrd, later Robin Williams). He is a boy that doesn’t really have many friends. He’s often bullied, which leaves him being a loner. One day he hears strange drumbeats and decides to follow them. They lead him to a box with a board game called “Jumanji.” Later, when he’s at home, his one (and probably only) friend Sarah Whittle (Laura Bell Bundy, later Bonnie Hunt) visits him and the children try to play the recently found game. Unfortunately, it’s not Monopoly or chess. This game is more… “interactive.” At some point Alan rolls the dice and the game literally sucks him inside. Yes, you’re reading correctly. Sarah runs away totally panicked and then we move with the story 26 years later. We meet two other children, Judy and Peter Shepherd (Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce). Together with their aunt they’re moving into the house that used to be Alan’s home. The siblings find the game at the attic and roll the dice. And from this moment they are forced to finish it or they will be cursed… forever. But to finish it, they need all the players that have started this particular gameplay, including Sarah and Alan. Doom doom doom! Absolutely amazing! I recently rewatched it again and I was still afraid of the hunter (thank you Jonathan Hyde for this trauma, I bet it was because of that moustache). You will see a lot of weird stuff happening in this film, but somehow I was always scared of a human the most. Wasn’t I a smart kiddo? Anyway, no matter if you’re a child or an adult, this film is marvellous and I’m sure I will keep rewatching it in the future. Also, if you’re a fan of memes (who isn’t these days?), perhaps you know the meme with unshaved Robin Williams saying “What year is it?” – it’s actually a scene from this film. Not sure if it encourages you more to see it, but if it does, I’m thrilled.

My rating: 8/10
S.

Loneliness, twice, in colour. 4×6 or 5×7? “One Hour Photo” (2002)

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directed by Mark Romanek
© 2002 Fox Searchlight Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Loneliness sucks, doesn’t it? Interesting that films about loneliness are very often must-see productions and surprisingly people love watching them. Not sure if those are people who have never experienced it or the ones who have and they just want to comfort themselves. No matter which of those two groups you belong to, this story is perfect for everybody. The main character is a photo developer named Seymour (Robin Williams). He is a very friendly and adorable man, but also extremely lonely. His only light in life is this one customer, Nina (Connie Nielsen). She’s been bringing plenty of her rolls of films for many years. Yes, for the young readers, back then we had a limited number of photos (no crazy selfies you can delete later) and to see them you had to give this funny roll to such Seymour to develop it and in a few days you could get an envelope with your photos. Nightmare? I actually miss that a bit. Anyway, back to the story. Sy the photo guy, as Nina’s son likes calling him, has been making additional copies of her photos to keep them with him as if he was a part of the family. Unfortunately, loneliness can push people to everything and soon Sy will have to pop the bubble he’s living in. Not sharing more, see yourself. If you’re expecting this typical stalker scenario, you may be surprised. Especially the ending makes you sit for a moment and think about yourself. There’s an open question for those who will watch the whole film. I don’t expect anybody to write to me with answers, it’s rather for you. Would you do the same as Sy? Because, I’m not sure. Tempted? Thumb up.

My rating: 6/10
S.