The last time Barry Levinson and Robin Williams made something good together, it was Good Morning, Vietnam back in '87. The last truly high-grade film Levinson directed was Wag the Dog in '97. The last really good film Williams acted in was Insomnia in '01. I mention all this because I've been told by a friend that a new Levinson-Williams collaboration has turned out quite well. It's called Man of the Year, a political comedy-drama produced by Morgan Creek. It's about the host of a late-night political talk show (Williams) who decides to run for President, and wins, and then has to sort out an ethical dilemma after his election. Chris Walken, Laura Linnney, Jeff Goldblum and Lewis Black costar. A Universal spokesperson told me it doesn't look like an '06 release ("more likely '07...they only just finished shooing three weeks ago"). My source, truth be told, tends to be a little nebulous-generous in her estimations of new films. She was also pretty happy with The Sentinel when she was it well in advance, so take this with a grain. But it would be great for both Levinson and Williams if what my friend is saying about their film turns out to be true.
Posted by Jeffrey Wells on May 8, 2006 at 11:16 AM
comment #1
Colin says ...
I'll quibble and say that Liberty Heights was a high grade, if underseen, little gem by Levinson that is on a par with his other Baltimore-based films. And I thought that One-Hour Photo, which was released at basically the same time as Insomnia, was a pretty terrific psychological thriller with a great performance by Williams.
That said, I generally agree that their work has been very spotty lately, and I'd welcome a return to form (especially by Levinson).
Posted by Colin at May 8, 2006 11:53 AM
comment #2
John B. says ...
I thought Robin Williams was very good in [i]One Hour Photo[/i] and the film overall a very good thriller.
Posted by John B. at May 8, 2006 12:23 PM
comment #3
Daniel Zelter says ...
Another American Dreamz-like satire? And from Universal who's blown it twice already on Munich and United? Who cares, and why don't they learn the first time around? And One Hour Photo was a cop-out.
They couldn't decide whether Williams's character was a stalker or a pedophile, and it just ends up being another typical suburban angst drama.
Posted by Daniel Zelter at May 8, 2006 2:24 PM
comment #4
Patrick says ...
Jeffrey, 'Liberty Heights' is the best thing Mr.
Levinson has done (non-Homicide) since 'Tin Men'!
'Wag the Dog' was a one-note, very unfunny bore!
Mr. Williams has never done a single thing in his
entire career to make me take notice of him. He's
on my "must avoid at all costs" list! 'Insomnia'
was terribly overrated.
Posted by Patrick at May 8, 2006 6:14 PM
comment #5
John B. says ...
Robin Williams was great in "The World According to Garp".
Posted by John B. at May 9, 2006 8:34 AM
comment #6
Patrick says ...
Yes, Williams was very good in 'Garp' and 'Moscow
on the Hudson,' but his other stuff makes me want
to throw up every bit of food I've ever eaten in
my entire life! Also, he was very strong in an
episode of 'Homicide' from the third or fourth
season...Jake G. played his son.
Posted by Patrick at May 9, 2006 9:49 AM
comment #7
Charles says ...
Jeff,
The last time Williams and Levinson made a film together wasn't "Good Morning Vietnam" but the film "Toys" in 1992.
Posted by Charles at May 9, 2006 12:43 PM
comment #8
Patrick says ...
Oh, my God! 'Toys' was one of the WORST films of
the 90's! You've got to be kidding me. 'Good
Morning Vietnam' was bad, but not THAT bad!
Posted by Patrick at May 9, 2006 4:37 PM
comment #9
Steve says ...
He said, "The last time Barry Levinson and Robin Williams made something good together, it was Good Morning, Vietnam back in '87." Not just "the last film they made together."
And I saw Toys when I was like 9 so I liked it. (And I still do. Shhhh.)
Posted by Steve at May 9, 2006 9:12 PM
comment #10
lee says ...
Hey - just thought I'd add on my props for "One Hour Photo" - a much better film than "Insomnia" IMHO - and this might sound crazy to a lot of y'all - but I think it has one of the greatest endings in recent film-dom.
Posted by lee at May 9, 2006 11:45 PM