“Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind”: A Brilliant Documentary About the Late Comedy Genius

It’s time to wrap up my In Memory of Robin Williams series with the 2018 HBO documentary “Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind.” The film played six sell-out screenings at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018 and also screened at the Nantucket Film Festival before premiering on HBO on July 16, 2018.

This intimate portrait examines one of the world’s most inventive comedians.

Told largely through Robin’s own voice and using a wealth of never before seen archival footage, the film goes through the extraordinary life and career of the one and only Robin Williams.

“Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind” offers a detailed peek behind the curtain of an amazing performer’s tragically curtailed life and career. This documentary does a phenomenal job exploring his life, including his comedic genius and personal struggles - which can get rather emotional.

Throughout the film, we see some archival footage of some of Williams’ early stand up acts and you can see right away that the comedy legend even had his infamous rapid fire delivery and quick wit as soon as he started. There are so many moments in this documentary that will truly have you bursting out with laughter.

The film features a few outtakes from some of his previous work, such as “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Mork & Mindy,” that are so incredibly hysterical that you can tell that a few of the other performers had a tough time keeping a straight face. We also get to see some other archival footage of his brilliant performances from numerous other films - even some of his dramatic roles. Throughout the film, we see how Williams had such a unique ability to connect with his audiences with his clever and often boundless humor.

“Come Inside My Mind” also features interviews from many people that knew him, including family and co-stars/close friends (including close friend Billy Crystal). It also dives into his family life and the numerous struggles the brilliant comedian had been

going through, which includes drug and alcohol use.

This insightful film will have you experiencing a mix of laughter and sadness, as it goes into his struggles and health. And I’ll admit, as soon as the documentary started to get into the end of his life and his tragic passing, I started to tear up a bit - which rarely happens when I watch a documentary. It’s one of those times that you know that the big moment (in this case, his passing) is coming and you can still get really emotional.

“Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind” is a powerful and emotional journey that will evoke a wide range of reactions. There are several moments that will have you laughing and quite a few that will have you tearing up. While highlighting his comedic brilliance and unforgettable performances, the documentary also dove into the challenges and complexities he faced throughout his life, ultimately celebrating his lasting impact on the world of entertainment and beyond.

“Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind” can currently be streamed on HBO Max.

This review marks the conclusion of my “In Memory of Robin Williams” series and I hope that you have enjoyed it! Let me know of my Wyoming County Press Examiner reviews page on Facebook what your favorite film that featured this brilliant late comedy genius! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caIFNg_JRL4