It is the same channeling ability that Robert Downey Jr. uses. The mind is in an altered state where no fear is present. The high experienced is so great it makes anything seem possible. Anything can be said or done, pretense disappears. It is no coincidence that the funniest people you know are also more likely to experience depression. It is the ability to feel and relate that causes feelings and thoughts to overwhelm. They create a vortex in which expression via an outlet becomes an art form. The personalities are well crafted and marketable, so the person finds comfort in playing the role, but in reality there is a concrete heaviness behind those eyes.
I've heard a lot of praise for Robin Williams' acting in Dead Poet's Society, Good Will Hunting, and even Patch Adams but very little mention of Awakenings where he played Dr. Oliver Sachs. Some other great roles I haven't heard much mention of are Moscow on The Hudson and Garp.
he use to be addicted to cocaine too so I think that was where some of his high energy comedy came from
Comedy in some ways can also act as therapy. I've heard that brought up in Robin Williams case that he often used humor as a way of coming to terms with the world.
One of my favorite movies of Robin Williams' was The Best of Times.. he was in that one with Kurt Russell.
He said he used it for the opposite of what you expect...to calm himself from his high episodes...not to get a boost to perform. I think since his brain was already whack at the time...that the drug can't be considered to affect him the same way it would affect a normal user. He said as much without stating why the drug affected him the opposite of regular folks who took it.
Ha! Pretty entertaining movie. Random fact: Taft, CA used to be named Moron. Robin Williams was in so many movies that I grew up with, really bummed to hear this news. Even named his daughter Zelda after the game series. Depression sucks; sad that he couldn't overcome it.
If you are or know somebody who is having thoughts of suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
