Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018) – Review

Although many people will know Robin Williams from his stand up and his breakthrough tv show Mork and Mindy, I personally really only knew him from the movies he was in. Whether it were his comedic roles in movies like Aladdin, Mrs. Doubtfire and Flubber or his serious roles in Awakenings, What Dreams May Come, One Hour Photo, Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society. He was a very versatile actor who was worth checking out a film for. It came as a shock in 2014 when it was announced that he had taken his own life. This HBO documentary takes a look at his life, both his highs and his lows.

Composed of a combination of archival footage, audio from interviews with Williams himself and close family (his son and ex-wife) and colleagues (Billy Crystal, David Letterman and others), Come Inside My Mind gives the viewer an comprehensive overview of his life on both personal and professional level. Although he was raised as an only child, he did have two brothers. As his father travelled a lot the family had to move regularly as well and Wiliams had to keep himself entertained. He eventually found his passion in acting and through a combination of talent and luck he eventually ended up as alien Mork in an episode of Happy Days, which later turned into a separate show. His first movie role, Popeye, wasn’t a success. It was a time when TV stars weren’t playing in movies and the two were very separated. He kept doing standup, while also dealing with a drug problem. It was when John Belushi died from an overdose that he wanted to change as he was with him the night before his death. He moved away from L.A. and become successful as a movie star. He got energy out of people laughing and always wanted to please others. When he found out he had Parkinsons (which has later turned out to be the wrongly diagnosed) his world started to crumble. With its almost two hour running time it is a documentary which celebrates a great comedian and actor while showing him to also struggle with his personal issues. With that it doesn’t idolize him, but shows you just a human being who was brilliant at what he did.

[score8]