I didn't know what to expect coming in to this film. All I knew that it had Robin Williams, and I found the film from a clip of him dancing through the streets and faceplanting to the wall (btw just watch the whole thing, it's a great love letter to the late Robin Williams).
I was disappointed that the MC wasn't Robin but was Ed Norton who plays Smoochy. Only for a bit though because Ed killed it and greatly portrayed this bundle of ethics character that had an anger management problem deep deep deep down.
The plot was wack but the characters and their interactions with one another were the highlight of the film.
Robin Williams still played a significant part in the movie, but I wished he was used better. He was eclectic as Rainbow Randolph, never really felt scary as a villain but maybe that was the point.
I didn't find him particularly scary in Insomnia, but he was believable and his character had depth which meant a lot more in the context of the film.
Insomnia is still a bit underrated, buried in the larger Nolan canon. It's an incredible and inventive crime drama, but probably (one of?) Nolan's weakest. Which is to say it's broadly only like an 8/10.
Haven’t watched it in years, but it’s one of my favorite dark comedies. Edward Norton, Robin Williams, Danny DeVito, and John Stewart, what’s not to love?
I remember news stories when the movie came out; parents were taking their kids to the movie because they didn't understand what it was about. I thought the R rating would have been enough.
If you thought Robin Williams’s character was supposed to be the villain I fear you have missed the point of the movie greatly.
The villain of the movie is mental illness and interpersonal relationships. They give you a hint right at the beginning when Smoochy is playing at a Methadone clinic.
I have a family member who did security on that film. He met Robin, and developed a very short friendship with him. (apparently they had coffee together on set a few times, which means that Robin would have had to go out of his way, as either he went on break with security or hung out while family was on duty)
Same reason while I don't like Will Ferrell. They're stereotypically cast in roles that allows them to act like manchildren. There's always your exceptions like Bicentennial Man and Stranger Than Fiction, but overall they tend to play the same kind of character and I'm just not into it.
Good to know, thanks. I liked his performance in Bicentennial Man, so if his performance is anything like that then maybe I should give Smoochy a chance.
My stepfather, who I adored, was an instant huge fan of Death to Smoochy after it came out on home video and would often sing the line "Stepdad's Not Mean He's Just Adjusting"
I have a family member who did security on that film. He met Robin, and developed a very short friendship with him. (apparently they had coffee together on set a few times, which means that Robin would have had to go out of his way, as either he went on break with security or hung out while family was on duty)
I haven't seen it in full, but I do remember it creating a bit of controversy with the cookie dongs and kids. Some critics didn't find it funny at all.