Really promising film until Robin Williams showed up

I disagree but do see where your coming from. I have nitpicks about the scene where we meet Parry.

The scene where Jack is attempting suicide and those kids come is very bi polar in the mood. I dont know if its the way Terry Gilliam directed it but it seemed to me that the scene is out of place in regards to the rest of the movie.

Now i really do love Robin and will always think of him in the living but there's something about his portrayal as Parry that doesnt sit right with me. I can't point out what though.

If theres one part of this movie i dont care for its the part where Parry is 'working' in the video store and then Lydia comes in. Enterntaining yes, but kind of annoying.

I'M SORRY I'D LISTEN TO YOU IF YOU WERENT WRONG.-Robin Williams, Awakenings

Presumably you knew Williams was featured prominently in the film, so why did you even attempt to watch it if you found him so lacking as a performer? Your comments reek of disingenuousness and deliberate provocation. Might be worthwhile to check out the cast list before buying your popcorn and settling in for a two-hour disappoint-fest.

 Some movies are released; others sneak out. 

Wow, fantastic discussion all.

I have loved this film since it had a limited release way back then.

May I try to add an idea?

Perry is nuts from what he has experienced, and must hide from the world.

Maybe this makes him rather cagey to understand?

(Believe me, I know people like this, some of whom did not survive that experience).

Something I hated is how goofy the movie gets at times, Either from dialogue or the music. Which happens when Robin shows up.

I agree the beginning was great, it was really good. it was on tv and it was so good I sat down to watch it.

The story is good and I liked the movie a lot I guess. I enjoyed watching it, but there were times that it started to get too goofy, specially the score. If there is one thing that damages movies for me is when the music doesn't match the visuals or when the music starts to get silly.

Robin was really good for most of the movie but again, there were times where the character was getting to be too much (I completely blame this on the director)

I think since the subject matter is so dark, that the director chose to make it a little bit lighthearted but for me it kind of ruined it a little bit

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It's a matter of opinion, or maybe just of taste. I was not impressed with the beginning and I always skip it when I watch the DVD. The first time I was actually afraid this might be another boring movie about mass shooting bla bla bla. I don't even watch this stuff on the news - it has become too common and too depressing. But this movie isn't really about mass shooting, that's only the pretext. Robin Williams turns it into something entirely different, and positive. I love Robin Williams in this movie and I like all the scenes with the homeless. I usually skip the Jeff Bridges and Mercedes Ruehl scenes when I watch the DVD, because I find them really boring. But that's the beauty of art, everybody relates to it differently. As long as you found something that you actually liked in this movie...