BBB.5
(out of 5)
Jeff Bridges plays a talk radio host who is devastated when a listener misinterprets his advice and commits a heinous crime in a New York City restaurant. Quitting his job and in the midst of trying to quit his life, Bridges takes to the streets and meets a free spirited homeless man (Robin Williams) who helps put him on the road to recovery. The real treat in Richard LaGravenese’s oddball script is the characters, and while director Terry Gilliam gets a lot of juicy visual work out of the story, it’s the fact that all the people are believably real that really sells this one. Mercedes Ruehl is particularly astonishing as Bridges’ worn out girlfriend, a woman from whom too many have taken too much, and Amanda Plummer is delightful as a girl that catches Williams’ eye.
TriStar Pictures, Columbia Pictures Corporation
USA, 1991
Directed by Terry Gilliam
Screenplay by Richard LaGravenese
Cinematography by Roger Pratt
Produced by Debra Hill, Lynda Obst
Music by George Fenton
Production Design by Mel Bourne
Costume Design by Beatrix Aruna Pasztor
Film Editing by Lesley Walker
Film Festivals: TIFF 1991
Academy Award
Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Mercedes Ruehl as “Anne”)
Nominations
Best Actor in a Leading Role (Robin Williams as “Parry”)
Best Art Direction (art direction: Mel Bourne; set decoration: Cindy Carr)
Best Music (Original Score) (George Fenton)
Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen) (Richard LaGravenese)
Golden Globe Awards
Best Performance By An Actor in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical (Robin Williams)
Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture (Mercedes Ruehl)
Nominations
Best Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical
Best Performance By An Actor in a Motion Picture-Comedy or Musical (Jeff Bridges)
Best Director (Terry Gilliam)
