Scuola Media Statale Dante Alighieri Tesina desame su Robin Williams di Inglese Carla Roberta Laurini Classe 3° I Anno 2005/06.

Scuola Media StataleScuola Media Statale‘’‘’Dante Alighieri’’Dante Alighieri’’

Tesina d’esameTesina d’esamesu su Robin WilliamsRobin Williams

di Inglesedi Inglese

Carla Roberta LauriniCarla Roberta Laurini

Classe 3° I Anno 2005/06Classe 3° I Anno 2005/06

The importance of “amusing” The importance of “amusing” others is of great value: it is in others is of great value: it is in

fact, an effective method to help fact, an effective method to help persons face everyday difficulties, persons face everyday difficulties,

in a different way.in a different way.

Comicality, and the research of Comicality, and the research of humour, stimulates imagination and humour, stimulates imagination and

invention.invention. It facilitates social relationships in It facilitates social relationships in

the community; it strengthens the the community; it strengthens the physical well-being of the individual.physical well-being of the individual.

Again, comicality is of Again, comicality is of fundamental importance fundamental importance

for physical health, thanks for physical health, thanks to it we can “momentarily to it we can “momentarily escape” in different roles escape” in different roles

and have the ability to and have the ability to “play down” dramatic “play down” dramatic moments or minimize moments or minimize

human behaviours under human behaviours under tragic circumstances.tragic circumstances.

A valid example A valid example is Robin Mclaurin is Robin Mclaurin Williams. He has Williams. He has been defined as been defined as ‘’The man more ‘’The man more a musing of the a musing of the world’’ . Likeable world’’ . Likeable and witty, ironic and witty, ironic and weeping, he and weeping, he

had a lot of had a lot of success in the success in the world of the world of the theatre and theatre and

movie movie productions, productions,

always always succeeding in succeeding in

being being ““unpredictableunpredictable”.”.

He was born in Chicago He was born in Chicago (Illinois) 21 July 1951(Illinois) 21 July 1951

The American The American post-world war post-world war

period, although period, although it differed from it differed from

that of the that of the European European

(devastated (devastated from the war), from the war),

was engaged in was engaged in reconstruction reconstruction and therefore it and therefore it

lived a very lived a very difficult period, difficult period, where hunger where hunger and poverty and poverty

were common were common for the greater for the greater

part of the part of the inhabitants.inhabitants.

America, instead, lived the America, instead, lived the post war in less a post war in less a

emphasized way (with emphasized way (with some exceptions).some exceptions). Robin Robin Williams being born, in Williams being born, in

America and in a wealthy America and in a wealthy family, had a calm family, had a calm

infancy, and did not suffer infancy, and did not suffer in a general context, from in a general context, from the problems provoked by the problems provoked by

the post-war period.the post-war period.

Son of a rich Son of a rich manager of the manager of the

Ford Motor Ford Motor Company , Company ,

Robert Williams Robert Williams (of English (of English

descent, Welsh descent, Welsh and Irish) and of and Irish) and of a fashion model a fashion model Laurie, born in Laurie, born in New Orleans New Orleans

and of French and of French descent, he was descent, he was

introduced at introduced at an early stage, an early stage, to the world of to the world of

drama .drama .

SStrangely, Robin was trangely, Robin was considered a hermit considered a hermit

because of his because of his parents jobs, and parents jobs, and spent much of his spent much of his

time alone in the big time alone in the big house, playing with house, playing with

his 2000-strong army his 2000-strong army of toy soldiers, his of toy soldiers, his

imagination running imagination running riot. riot. The family The family

moved often and moved often and when his father when his father

retired, they settled retired, they settled down definitively to down definitively to California, where he California, where he attended advanced attended advanced

schools.schools.

He lived in an important He lived in an important historical period, that historical period, that

involved the whole world: involved the whole world: the cultural revolution of the the cultural revolution of the '68. The society changed so '68. The society changed so much, from a rigid world in much, from a rigid world in which it was, to the protest which it was, to the protest of the juvenile movements, of the juvenile movements, which changed the society which changed the society

radically. ‘’ many do not radically. ‘’ many do not become knowledgeable of become knowledgeable of the many changes ‘’. the many changes ‘’.

After the degree, After the degree, he was graduated he was graduated to the faculty of to the faculty of

Political Sciences Political Sciences and, for 3 years, and, for 3 years,

he also, attended he also, attended the famous the famous

Juillard, where he Juillard, where he made many made many

friends;friends;. H. He tied e tied well, above all, well, above all, with Christoper with Christoper

Reeve (the famous Reeve (the famous ‘’superman’’).‘’superman’’).

When Reeve was paralysed from the neck When Reeve was paralysed from the neck down in a horse-riding accident, Robin promised down in a horse-riding accident, Robin promised

to pay all hospital expenses not covered by to pay all hospital expenses not covered by insurance and gave him parts in his film.insurance and gave him parts in his film.

As said, As said, circumstances circumstances

had turned had turned Robin into an Robin into an

inveterate joker, inveterate joker, and he'd further and he'd further studied the craft studied the craft by learning the by learning the comedy records comedy records

of Jonathan of Jonathan Winters (his first Winters (his first

idol) off by idol) off by heart. At heart. At

Claremont, he Claremont, he began taking began taking

lessons in lessons in improvisation, a improvisation, a discipline suited discipline suited to his quick wit.to his quick wit.

After graduation , he attracted attention in After graduation , he attracted attention in theatres and cabaret or wtheatres and cabaret or while at Juillard, Robin hile at Juillard, Robin took to performing mime on the streets, often took to performing mime on the streets, often

outside the Metropolitanoutside the Metropolitan. He acted on the small . He acted on the small screen in the part the famous series ‘’Happy screen in the part the famous series ‘’Happy

Days’’; and the series , ‘’Mork & Mindy’’ from Days’’; and the series , ‘’Mork & Mindy’’ from 1978 to 1980. In this period unfortunately 1978 to 1980. In this period unfortunately Robin had a series of problems with drugs.Robin had a series of problems with drugs.

The substance has the power The substance has the power to modify perception and to modify perception and

modifies physical modifies physical requirements (fatigue, hunger, requirements (fatigue, hunger, sleep). As a resul t, giving a sleep). As a resul t, giving a

false image of it’s surrounding false image of it’s surrounding atmosphere. Naturally, not all atmosphere. Naturally, not all drugs have the same effects, drugs have the same effects, causing equal damages to the causing equal damages to the

organism, but they are organism, but they are however, all dangerous. however, all dangerous.

Robin Williams Robin Williams succeeded to exit slowly succeeded to exit slowly and recovered, only after and recovered, only after the strong shock for the the strong shock for the death of John Belushi, death of John Belushi,

that influenced him. He in that influenced him. He in fact always says: ‘’Drugs- fact always says: ‘’Drugs- is way of God to say that is way of God to say that

-you are making too -you are making too much money-’’.much money-’’.

As far as his As far as his sentimental life, he sentimental life, he was married with was married with

Valerie Velardi, the Valerie Velardi, the 4th June 1978, from 4th June 1978, from whom he had a son, whom he had a son,

Zachary. The Zachary. The marriage lasted ten marriage lasted ten

years and he years and he remarried (remarried (Marsha Marsha

Garces )Garces ). .

FilmographyFilmography As far as his numerous films, the most As far as his numerous films, the most

important to remember are : Patch important to remember are : Patch Adams, Dead Poets Society, Good morning Adams, Dead Poets Society, Good morning in Vietnam, Jakob The Liar, Mrs. Duobfire.in Vietnam, Jakob The Liar, Mrs. Duobfire.

Patch AdamsPatch Adams, it , it initially paints to initially paints to

us a world us a world characterized by characterized by

cynicism and cynicism and indifference, but, indifference, but, the background of the background of this world gives a this world gives a ray of “ hope”. A ray of “ hope”. A

story which is story which is found hard to found hard to

believe, but true believe, but true and in the and in the meanwhile meanwhile fantastic.fantastic.

The main character of the film The main character of the film is Hunter Adams, interned in a is Hunter Adams, interned in a

psychiatric hospital as a psychiatric hospital as a consequence to a suicide consequence to a suicide attempt. Having a sure attempt. Having a sure

inclination to human contact, inclination to human contact, Adams decides, once discharged, Adams decides, once discharged, to undertake medicine studies. to undertake medicine studies. Although he is older than other Although he is older than other

students he attends the students he attends the university with optimal credits.university with optimal credits.

The way his colleagues work do not appeal The way his colleagues work do not appeal to him too much: indifference and greed in to him too much: indifference and greed in

dealing with their own patients, shocks dealing with their own patients, shocks him. He, instead, adores to be to be in him. He, instead, adores to be to be in

tight contact with his patients; to alleviate tight contact with his patients; to alleviate their suffering: it’s his life philosophy.their suffering: it’s his life philosophy.

In order to observe In order to observe his principles, he his principles, he

violates the rules of violates the rules of the Hospital and the Hospital and

begins to visit the sick begins to visit the sick and assists them. He and assists them. He amuses them with his amuses them with his unpredictable cheer.unpredictable cheer.

A touching film, A touching film, but at the same but at the same

time it amuses! A time it amuses! A comedy movie comedy movie that gives the that gives the

possibility to look possibility to look closer at human closer at human relationships. A relationships. A film where good film where good feelings are the feelings are the

basis and where basis and where medical medical

treatments alone, treatments alone, are not enough.are not enough.

The The Dead Poets Dead Poets SocietySociety, is a simple , is a simple film pointing out a film pointing out a

clear message from clear message from the very beginning: the very beginning:

Carpe Diem! To Carpe Diem! To always grab the always grab the

moment and under moment and under any circumstance: any circumstance:

living intensely living intensely every moment of every moment of

life, to achieve your life, to achieve your goals. A film in goals. A film in

which poetry flutters which poetry flutters constantly, passing constantly, passing

from Shakespeare to from Shakespeare to Whitman. Whitman.

The story’s atmosphere is The story’s atmosphere is that of 1959, and the main that of 1959, and the main

player is John Keating, player is John Keating, neo-teacher of the neo-teacher of the

strictest male Academy in strictest male Academy in Welton. His methods of Welton. His methods of instruction are creative instruction are creative

and liberal. His students and liberal. His students will have a completely will have a completely

different version of life and different version of life and the world.the world.

Good morning in VietnamGood morning in Vietnam. A film that . A film that projects the problems of the war ironically projects the problems of the war ironically

and philosophically. It is located in the and philosophically. It is located in the south-east Asian region to the Middle East . south-east Asian region to the Middle East .

War, and the impossibility to establish War, and the impossibility to establish normal human relationships, contrast of normal human relationships, contrast of

cultures, and confusion are the highlights.cultures, and confusion are the highlights.

The main The main character is character is

Adrian Cronauer, Adrian Cronauer, airman-DJ, that is airman-DJ, that is shipped from Crete shipped from Crete

to Vietnam to to Vietnam to bring humour to bring humour to Armed Forces Armed Forces

Radio. He turns the Radio. He turns the studio on it’s ear studio on it’s ear

and becomes and becomes wildly popular with wildly popular with

the troops.the troops.

Jakob the liar.Jakob the liar. In 1944 Poland, a Jewish shop In 1944 Poland, a Jewish shop keeper named Jakob is summoned to ghetto keeper named Jakob is summoned to ghetto

headquarters after being caught out after headquarters after being caught out after curfew. While waiting for the German curfew. While waiting for the German

Kommondant, Jakob overhears a German Kommondant, Jakob overhears a German radio broadcast about Russian troop radio broadcast about Russian troop

movements. Returned to the ghetto, the movements. Returned to the ghetto, the shopkeeper shares his information with a shopkeeper shares his information with a friend and then rumors fly that there is a friend and then rumors fly that there is a

secret radio within the ghetto. secret radio within the ghetto.

Jakob uses the chance to Jakob uses the chance to spread hope throughout the spread hope throughout the ghetto by continuing to tell ghetto by continuing to tell

favorable tales of information favorable tales of information from "his secret radio." Jakob, from "his secret radio." Jakob, however, has a real secret in however, has a real secret in

that he is hiding a young that he is hiding a young Jewish girl who escaped from Jewish girl who escaped from

a camp transport train. A a camp transport train. A rather uplifting and slightly rather uplifting and slightly humorous film about World humorous film about World War II Jewish Ghetto life.War II Jewish Ghetto life.

Mrs. DuobtfireMrs. Duobtfire is the is the story of Daniel, a story of Daniel, a failed actor, that, failed actor, that,

after the divorce, he after the divorce, he is force to see his is force to see his

children once a week children once a week with great regret. with great regret. When, he finds out When, he finds out

that his wife is that his wife is seeking a baby seeking a baby

sitter, he disguises sitter, he disguises himself as a maid. himself as a maid. This film points out This film points out how often parents how often parents fail to demonstrate fail to demonstrate

their love.their love.

Naturally Robin Williams Naturally Robin Williams has interpreted many has interpreted many more films. There are more films. There are

approximately 60. I have approximately 60. I have chosen these little films chosen these little films because I think they are because I think they are the most important and the most important and

mean more to me.mean more to me.

Others Film

(2006) The Krazees(2006) The Krazees(2006) Mrs. Doubtfire 2 - (2006) Mrs. Doubtfire 2 - Daniel Hillard/Mrs. DoubtfireDaniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire(2006) August Rush(2006) August Rush(2006) Man of the year(2006) Man of the year(2006) Happy feet - (voce)(2006) Happy feet - (voce)(2006) Vita da camper - Bob (2006) Vita da camper - Bob McNeiveMcNeive(2006) The night listener - (2006) The night listener - Gabriel NooneGabriel Noone(2005) The big white- Paul (2005) The big white- Paul BarnellBarnell(2005) Robots - Fender (2005) Robots - Fender (voce)(voce)(2004) Un amore sotto (2004) Un amore sotto l'albero - Il prete (non l'albero - Il prete (non accreditato)accreditato)(2004) House of D - Pappass(2004) House of D - Pappass(2004) The final cut - Alan W. (2004) The final cut - Alan W. HakmanHakman(2002) Insomnia - Walter (2002) Insomnia - Walter FinchFinch(2002) Eliminate Smoochy - (2002) Eliminate Smoochy - Rainbow RudolphRainbow Rudolph(2002) One Hour Photo - (2002) One Hour Photo - Seymour "Sy" ParrishSeymour "Sy" Parrish(2001) A.I. intelligenza (2001) A.I. intelligenza artificiale - Dr. Know (voce)artificiale - Dr. Know (voce)

(1999) L'uomo bicentenario - (1999) L'uomo bicentenario - Andrew MartinAndrew Martin(1999) Jakob il bugiardo - (1999) Jakob il bugiardo - Jakob HeymJakob Heym(1999) Get Bruce - Se stesso(1999) Get Bruce - Se stesso(1998) In My Life - Se stesso(1998) In My Life - Se stesso(1998) Patch Adams - Hunter (1998) Patch Adams - Hunter "Patch" Adams"Patch" Adams(1998) Al di là dei sogni- (1998) Al di là dei sogni- Chris Nielsen Chris Nielsen (1997) Will Hunting - Genio (1997) Will Hunting - Genio ribelle - Sean Maguireribelle - Sean Maguire(1997) Flubber - Un (1997) Flubber - Un professore tra le nuvole - professore tra le nuvole - Professore Philip "Phil" Professore Philip "Phil" BrainardBrainard(1997) Harry a pezzi - Mel(1997) Harry a pezzi - Mel(1997) Due padri di troppo - (1997) Due padri di troppo - Dale PutleyDale Putley(1996) Aladdin e il principe (1996) Aladdin e il principe dei ladri - Voce del Geniodei ladri - Voce del Genio(1996) Hamlet - Osric(1996) Hamlet - Osric(1996) The secret agent - Il (1996) The secret agent - Il professoreprofessore(1996) Jack - Jack Powell(1996) Jack - Jack Powell

(1995) A Wong Foo, grazie (1995) A Wong Foo, grazie di tutto! Julie Newmar - Non di tutto! Julie Newmar - Non accreditatoaccreditato(1995) Jumanji - Alan Parrish(1995) Jumanji - Alan Parrish(1995) Nine Months - (1995) Nine Months - Imprevisti d'Amore - Dr. Imprevisti d'Amore - Dr. KosevichKosevich(1994) In Search of Dr. Seuss (1994) In Search of Dr. Seuss (Film Tv) - The Father (Film Tv) - The Father (1993) Le cinque vite di (1993) Le cinque vite di Hector - HectorHector - Hector(1993) Mrs. Doubtfire - (1993) Mrs. Doubtfire - Mammo per sempre - Daniel Mammo per sempre - Daniel Hillard/Mrs. DoubtfireHillard/Mrs. Doubtfire(1992) La foresta incantata - (1992) La foresta incantata - Betty Koda (voce)Betty Koda (voce)(1992) Toys - giocattoli - (1992) Toys - giocattoli - Leslie ZevoLeslie Zevo(1992) Aladdin - Voce del (1992) Aladdin - Voce del GenioGenio(1992) From Time to Time - (1992) From Time to Time - (1991) Rabbit Ears: The Fool (1991) Rabbit Ears: The Fool and the Flying Ship (video) - and the Flying Ship (video) - NarratoreNarratore(1991) Shakes the Clown - (1991) Shakes the Clown - Mime JerryMime Jerry

(1991) A Wish for Wings (1991) A Wish for Wings That Work - That Work - (1991) Hook - capitan (1991) Hook - capitan Uncino - Peter PanUncino - Peter Pan1991) La leggenda del re 1991) La leggenda del re pescatore - Parrypescatore - Parry(1991) L'altro delitto - (1991) L'altro delitto - Doctor Cozy CarlisleDoctor Cozy Carlisle(1990) Risvegli - Dr. (1990) Risvegli - Dr. Malcolm SayerMalcolm Sayer(1990) Cadillac man, Mister (1990) Cadillac man, Mister occasionissima - Joey occasionissima - Joey O'BrienO'Brien(1989) L'attimo fuggente - (1989) L'attimo fuggente - John KeatingJohn Keating(1988) Le Avventure del (1988) Le Avventure del Barone di Munchausen - Barone di Munchausen - King of the MoonKing of the Moon(1987) Dear America - (1987) Dear America - lettere dal Vietnam (Film lettere dal Vietnam (Film Tv) - VoceTv) - Voce(1987) Good Morning, (1987) Good Morning, Vietnam - Adrian CronauerVietnam - Adrian Cronauer(1986) Club Paradise - Jack (1986) Club Paradise - Jack MonikerMoniker

(1983) Come ti ammazzo (1983) Come ti ammazzo un killer - Donald Quinelleun killer - Donald Quinelle(1982) Shelley Duvall's (1982) Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre (Serie Faerie Tale Theatre (Serie Tv) - Principe ranocchioTv) - Principe ranocchio(1982) Il mondo secondo (1982) Il mondo secondo Garp - T. S. GarpGarp - T. S. Garp(1980) Popeye - Braccio di (1980) Popeye - Braccio di ferro - Braccio di Ferroferro - Braccio di Ferro(1979) Laugh-In (Serie Tv) (1979) Laugh-In (Serie Tv) - - (1978) Mork & Mindy (Serie (1978) Mork & Mindy (Serie Tv) - MorkTv) - Mork

R. Williams is not only a great actor, and R. Williams is not only a great actor, and producer, but a man of great social producer, but a man of great social

sensitivity. He uses his popularity to help sensitivity. He uses his popularity to help others and society. He's, in fact, engaged others and society. He's, in fact, engaged

in numerous foundations to help the in numerous foundations to help the minorities, the poor and the children of the minorities, the poor and the children of the

third world of today’s society.third world of today’s society.