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  #1  
Unread 08-11-2014, 06:10 PM
E. Shaun Russell E. Shaun Russell is offline
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Default Robin Williams

I know he wasn't a poet, but if I'm being completely honest, Dead Poets Society had as much of a formative impact on me as any actual poetry. I might not have considered him my favorite actor, but he was certainly right up there thanks to his roles in The Fisher King, Good Will Hunting, Good Morning Vietnam, and The World According to Garp, among many others.

He battled addiction and depression throughout his life, so I suppose his death isn't as much of a shock as it could be, but...well, it's still a shock. He will be sorely missed.
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Unread 08-11-2014, 07:00 PM
Nausheen Eusuf Nausheen Eusuf is offline
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Oh my goodness. This is so sad and unexpected. I'm very sorry to hear about it.

Nausheen
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Unread 08-11-2014, 07:03 PM
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Jayne Osborn Jayne Osborn is offline
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I'm REALLY shocked, Shaun, as I somehow missed this news yesterday and your post was the first I knew of it.

Though I wasn't what you'd call a big fan, either, I agree with you and it's doubly awful that he took his own life. Poor man, to de driven to do that, and 63 is far too young to die.

Jayne
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Unread 08-11-2014, 08:16 PM
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Gail White Gail White is offline
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Thanks for the news, which I had not heard before. I too Loved Dead Poets Society and many of his other movies. He didn't have a face for romantic leads, but that freed him up for more unusual roles (who can forget Mrs. Doubtfire?).
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Unread 08-12-2014, 05:31 AM
Gregory Dowling Gregory Dowling is offline
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He was a very fine actor and I admire many of his films. However, I have to say that I can't really take to The Dead Poets' Society; among other things it contains a total misreading of "The Road Not Taken". But maybe this isn't the right moment for such comments... Very sad day.
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Unread 08-12-2014, 06:31 AM
E. Shaun Russell E. Shaun Russell is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gregory Dowling View Post
He was a very fine actor and I admire many of his films. However, I have to say that I can't really take to The Dead Poets' Society; among other things it contains a total misreading of "The Road Not Taken". But maybe this isn't the right moment for such comments... Very sad day.
Ah, I'd completely forgotten about that...but you're absolutely right! Then again, I'm sure all of us have had great teachers who have also managed to misinterpret literary works. Also, it's worth pointing out that that misreading wasn't Robin's fault, all things considered.

I will say this: for all of Williams' reputation as a comedian, I think he was at his best when he had to channel some of his dark depths. One can say this about most actors, but in light of Williams' obvious emotional pain, it deserves to be noted as significant.
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Unread 08-12-2014, 06:34 AM
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Norman Ball Norman Ball is offline
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Such a tragedy. I suppose the puzzle is always solvable in hindsight. His brilliance was borne along by manic energy and there's always the denouement with that sort of thing.

No doubt it's a sign of my own age. But I just don't see Williams' and Seymour-Hoffman's shoes being filled by the current crop.

Rest in peace.

Last edited by Norman Ball; 08-12-2014 at 06:39 AM.
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Unread 08-12-2014, 06:42 AM
E. Shaun Russell E. Shaun Russell is offline
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Originally Posted by Norman Ball View Post
No doubt it's a sign of my own age. But I just don't see Williams' and Seymour-Hoffman's shoes being filled by the current crop.
So true. I've just spent a couple of minutes trying to think of under-30 male actors who have depth and nuance...and can't think of a single one. Some great young female actors, but very few men. Then again, Hoffman and Williams would be irreplaceable in any era.
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Unread 08-12-2014, 01:08 PM
Susan McLean Susan McLean is offline
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I heard about it first here and was really sorry to hear it. He was a talented and funny man, but there is often a lot of darkness behind humor. It is sad to see the darkness win, but I don't blame Williams. With depression, it is often out of the person's control.

Susan
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Unread 08-12-2014, 01:31 PM
Brian Allgar Brian Allgar is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jayne Osborn View Post
Though I wasn't what you'd call a big fan ... 63 is far too young to die.
I agree, with you, Jayne. He wasn't one of my favourite actors either, although I liked him, but 63 is too young for anyone to die. Mind you, so is 163.
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