Like the rest of the world, all of us at Grazia were really saddened by the death of Robin Williams. Since he touched all of us through his inspiring performances at one point in our lives, we decided to pay tribute to the screen legend. Here is the Grazia team’s favourite Robin Williams movies and why they loved it.
When I was little we didn’t have a TV at home so going to my granny was extra special because she always rented videos for us. I will never forget lying on the couch with my gran and 2 sisters watching Mrs Doubtfire. And every time I have caught it on TV since then, I end up watching it again and again. I just love it. - Cheska Stark (Digital Editor)
Mrs Doubtfire for sure… Who wouldn’t have wanted her as a nanny growing up. I think I watched that movie once a week when it came out. - Nonki Xapile (Junior Fashion Editor)
What Dreams May Come, it totally touches the hopeless romantic side of me! -Mbali Soga (Beauty Editor)
It’s hard for me to choose just one. Each and every one of his movies formed a part of my childhood. From Aladdin, to Jack to Mrs Doubtfire and Jumanji. I must have seen them all about 40 times. Right now, the one I keep thinking of is What Dreams May Come. I imagine him in a heaven where he’s reunited with his pals John Belushi and Christopher Reeves. I see them all having a massive laugh, with Robin finally being happy and not haunted by his demons. That’s how I’d like to remember him – as finally being free. - Sonja Raath (Deputy Editor)
I don’t think I can choose one favourite. Every movie of his that I loved came at the right time in my life. Mrs. Doubtfire when I needed a good loud laugh. Dead Poets Society I watched in high school, such an important time for me, it held depth and meaning, and affected me more than I think. Aladdin, well that’s just a classic and so fun. Birdcage – one of my most favourite movies, everyone must watch it. He’s brilliant, and flamboyantly gay – bravo! Jumanji was scary, but my siblings and I were obsessed with it. I cannot chose one. Robin Williams is incredible, and his upbeat energy is contagious. I’m terribly saddened by his passing, and the fact that’ll never meet him – but my heart warms up thinking about him. I feel like this coming weekend will be dedicated to the above movies. RIP Robin Williams, you are missed. – Araffa Mpungwe (Beauty Assistant)
Aladdin, I was (truthfully still am) obsessed with Jasmine. I even asked my mom to paint my wall with Aladdin and Jasmine on their magic carpet for my bedroom. I also had Jasmine clothes from Woolies! I was in Grade 2 when It came out, and I remember watching it with my brother at least 10 times during our school holidays. - Michelle Cory (Senior Designer)
Robin Williams as Genie in Aladdin. I know all the words to his first song in the movie (when he comes out of the lamp for the first time). Genie made that movie. His wit and one liners were hilarious and no one could have done a better job than Robin Williams. – Denise Khoele (Junior Designer)
Dead Poets Society, I could watch that movie a million times and never get tired of it! Such an inspirational movie. - Amber Ham (Fashion Assistant)
Dead Poets Society. Professor John Keats was a constant voice in my head growing up, “seize the day, make your life extraordinary”. He was an embodiment of my obsession with the power of words and english literature, and reinforced my choice to major in it years later. - Saskia Bruinders (Digital Editor)
Good Will Hunting and Hook, I like movies with happy endings! Although he was brilliant in it, Patch Adams was just too sad… and I was unhappy at the end of Mrs Doubtfire as well. – Mathilda van Graan (Publishing Manager)
Honestly, I didn’t realize until Tuesday’s tragic news broke just how much of an impact Robin Williams made on me during my life. Looking back, he was a constant presence during pretty much all of my childhood and adolescence. And that means I can’t really pick an all-time favourite Robin Williams film. How do you choose between Toys, Hook or Mrs Doubtfire? Or Dead Poets Society and Good Morning Vietnam? You don’t. You watch them all. But, I’ll definitely be re-watching Death To Smoochy and One Hour Photo this weekend. No one will argue that they’re his greatest roles, but they’ll always be favourites of mine. - Guinevere Davies (Senior Writer)
This is a really tough one for me because he was one of my favourite actors. So, I have a tie between Mrs. Doubtfire and Patch Adams. Firstly, he reminds me SO much of my own dad in terms of looks and mannerisms when it comes to with how he deals with people especially children, so Robin Williams’ death was almost personal to me because he has always had a special place in my heart. In both movies he puts the kids first (whether it be his own or the kids that are patients) and just like Mrs. Doubtfire, my dad will do anything when it comes to spending time with my sister and I . Patch Adams succeeds in making me cry every.single.time. He stands up for what he believes in even when it means standing up alone and has the courage to genuinely follow his dream. Once again something my dad has always instilled and encouraged me and my sister to do. It sounds cliché, but I don’t care, it’s true! RIP to an amazing acting legend. – Wilmarie van der Merwe (Digital & Marketing Assistant)
M-Net Movies Showcase channel 108 on DStv will be screening a special tribute in memory of the legendary comedian. You can watch the following Robin Williams movies this weekend on Saturday, August 16 and Sunday, August 17:
Saturday 16 August 2014
14:45 Robots
16:15 Hook
18:45 Happy Feet
20:45 Good Will Hunting
23:00 Deconstructing Harry
Sunday 17 August 2014
11:45 Awakenings
14:00 The Big Wedding
15:30 The Fisher King
18:00 Good Morning Vietnam