Uncaged, now and for all times

When Robin Williams stepped away, he left so many gifts behind for us.  Just look around — they’re all here on demand.   Pre-owned,  you might say.  We loved his performances the first time  — and they’re still here for us to pass around freely.

Eyebrows inch up when people name their favorite Robin Williams hits … Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Will Hunting, Awakenings, Good Morning, Vietnam… and I, too, stake out my favorite sacred ground.  When Robin Williams played Armand Goldman and juggled and stretched his love how many different directions, he jumped over the pitcher, side-stepped the catcher, and tumbled home safely… somehow.

And when Mike Nichols sat in the director’s seat, within whispering distance of his peerless collaborator, Elaine May, that’s when Robin Williams received an infusion of an especially precious fuel that ignited his fire.  That’s when Robin spread out his wings alongside Nathan Lane and Gene Hackman and took our hearts with him.

Watching The Birdcage, a very funny adaptation of La Cage Aux Folles, somehow assures me that Robin merely left the room for an unavoidable interruption. He’s still with us, here and now, in a profoundly touching performance that’s ours to keep forever.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxfXR1zSj1k  (Please enjoy this trailer.)

www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C03E3DA1F39F93BA35750C0A960958260

variety.com/1996/film/reviews/the-birdcage-2-1200445467/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=uyGY2NfYpeE  (And here’s the song that wrapped it up.)