“The essential truth is that sometimes you’re worried that they’ll find out it’s a fluke, that you don’t really have it. You’ve lost the muse or – the worst dread – you never had it at all. I went through all that madness early on.” -Robin Williams
Williams timelessly tackled every genre. He mastered suspense in films such as Insomnia, he dominated powerful roles in masterpieces like Goodwill Hunting, and he reeled our eyes with amazement during family thrillers like Jumanji. Within all of his films, Williams innovated himself into these roles; his depression, addiction, empathy. He brought himself to the table and he wasn’t ashamed to share this with everyone. The man became more of an icon than the actual characters in which he played. In fact, if there are still seekers out there who dedicate their estranged lives to tracking down supernatural rumors such as magic lamps, it is safe to say that this minor, if even existent, percentage of people would not summon a genie, they would summon Robin Williams.
Robin Williams crafted the act of making people laugh into an art form, weaving his soul into each role, not just connecting a plastic Hollywood plot to the audience, but something more: humanity. Every time his wide smile shone on a screen, Williams reminded us about a dire facet in which we take for granted every day. On colorless days, art inspires us. On soundless days, music moves us. On directionless days, Robin Williams reminds us. He reminds us to smile. On this melancholic date, marking the end of this remarkable man’s life, we take what Williams reminded us time and time again. Today we do not grieve, we smile. Our total admiration and endearment goes out to this magnificent being, who did not just put his all into it, but his entire self. A true artist.
The clouds are smiling today, let us join them.