Boulevard
CAST
Robin Williams, Kathy Baker
RATING
R
RELEASE
July 10, 2015 (VOD/LIMITED)
DIRECTOR
Dito Moriel
STUDIO
Starz Digital
RUNNING TIME
1 hour 28 minutes
STARS
***1/2
REVIEW:
The loss of Robin Williams still has me in a state of disbelief whenever I think about it. There truly was no other actor like him, and I don't think there ever will be someone as unique, witty, and amazing as he was for a very long time, if not ever. Outside of his comedies like "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Good Morning, Vietnam," Williams explored his dramatic side with films like "One Hour Photo" and "Good Will Hunting," the latter of which he won an Academy Award for. In a way it's incredibly fitting to have his final on-screen performance be in the form of Nolan Mack in the new indie "Boulevard" because past all of the comedy, he really was one of the best dramatic actors out there. Williams' Mack is a man who's had the same job for nearly three decades and has an odd relationship with his wife Joy. One night he comes across a young male prostitute named Leo, whom he takes a liking to. It's this meeting that sets Nolan's life into a chaotic frenzy that forces him to confront reality and accept who he really is: a homosexual man.
I'm not going to lie; I got a little emotional seeing Williams on screen, realizing this would be the last time I'd see him in something new. Most people who were huge fans of him probably will too. Having said that, I feel like this was something of a final gift he wanted to give to the world before he left us considering the day and age we're in. This movie isn't just a story about Robin Williams being a closeted gay man. This film is about self discovery; it's about someone who feels like it's time to show the world who he really is, regardless of the consequences he'll face. And for all of the cliches and familiar story arcs shown here, there's a beautiful narrative being told with a fierce and emotional leading performance at the helm of it and a solid ensemble accompanying it. Dito Moriel's "Boulevard" may not be up there with some of his best movies, but I'm glad Robin Williams was able to give us one more dramatic performance before he left us, and as a whole it is heartfelt, soulful, and overall a solid watch for anyone who wants to do something different in their life and come out of their comfort zone.
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