It has never been necessary for someone to concur with my opinion in order for me to be convinced of my rectitude. But sometimes, it feels awfully nice. I've been on this bandwagon for about 20 years:
This Week In Terrifying Hybrids
1. John Krasinski + Mandy Moore + Robin Williams = A movie that should be called Nevermind, Just Avoid This
Behold the awesome ruining power of Robin Williams!
Granted, this movie about an engaged couple who have to endure the wacky whims of a wacky reverend in order to get married in his church didn't sound very good to begin with, but there was a small, shining chance that it wouldn't be so bad. After all, John Krasinski is funny. Mandy Moore is pretty likeable. But then Robin Williams crawled into bed between them, effectively toppling the small tower of hope that was License To Wed.
Short of the words "directed by Michael Bay," is there any bigger, redder red flag for any movie than the presence of Robin Williams? At best this poster creates confusion (What is John Krasinski doing so close to Dr. Patch Adams? Is this a joke?), at worst it creates panic (Oh God. Robin Williams is going to have to promote this thing. On several talk shows. With several voices.)
3 Comments
I see Williams as suffering from a common ailment - Hollywood. You put together an act and ten years later the machine thinks it has your act down and in this guy's case, something like type casting sets it (you start reading a lot of "Robin Williams" scripts). But you have to keep working, so...
The comedy films do it to many, I guess, but more TV examples come to mind at the moment: Robert Klein, Carlin, Jeff Foxworthy... all suffered at the hands of others writing material for them that was misinformed. Time for Williams and many others to break out (Foxworthy seems to have successfully done so, both financially and artistically).
Wow. Don't agree with that at all. Have you actually examined Robin WIlliams' career over the last decade or two? He's managed quite often to pluck dramatic scripts for himself that are well beyond his typecast nature.
Dead Poet's Society, Awakenings, Good Will Hunting, What Dreams May Come, One Hour Photo, Insomnia.
I think it's fair to say he does not suffer from typecasting. I just happen to hate this kind of movie: a comedy that consists essentially of Williams being freed from his handlers to riff unchecked. That may not be what this is, but I smell a rat.
Great work, I love the Office and John Krasinski but the thought of ANOTHER Robin Williams unfunny comedy makes my stomach turn. The guy is done.