Much like the Funny Jim Carrey versus Serious Jim Carrey debate, the Funny Robin Williams versus Serious Robin Williams debate is bound to stir up strong supporters on both sends. (I, for the record, prefer both Serious Jim Carrey and Serious Robin Williams.) For fans of the more subdued Williams, whose work includes Dead Poets Society, Awakenings, Insomnia, One Hour Photo, What Dreams May Come, and his Oscar-winning turn in Good Will Hunting, here’s some good news. According to IndieWire, the 61-year-old star has joined the cast of Dito Montiel’s Boulevard, which is being described as “an intimate drama about marriage and lies.” (So, sort of like a serious Mrs. Doubtfire.) Hollywood.com reached out to Williams’ rep for confirmation, but they could not immediately be reached for comment.
Still, don’t worry that Williams has left his Aladdin, The Birdcage, Jumanji, Death to Smoochy, Nine Months, World’s Greatest Dad, or Good Morning, Vietnam comedy days behind him completely, Team Funny. In addition to playing a conflicted husband in the dead serious Boulevard and playing President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the upcoming historical drama The Butler, Williams will also take part in lighter projects like the ensemble rom-com The Big Wedding and the ensemble dramedy The Angriest Man in Brooklyn.
Setting personal preferences aside, does Williams fare better with comedies than he does with dramas? It depends on which aspect you look at it. When it comes to the box office, Williams’ comedies are king. According to BoxOfficeMojo.com, Williams has pulled in over $3 billion at the box office thus far. In his top ten biggest grossers, seven of them are comedies. (Mrs. Doubtfire has been his highest earner, which made $219 million when it hit theaters in 1993.)
While he might earn more critical praise (an even an Oscar) for his dramatic roles, Williams does better at awards shows when he does comedies. He has more award nominations overall for his comedic work. Of his nine Golden Globes film nods, Williams won four times, all of which were for comedies (Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, The Fisher King, and Good Morning, Vietnam.)
No matter which side you’re on, I think there’s one thing we can all agree on: comedy/drama Patch Adamsis the worst.
[Photo credit: WENN]
