It’s a word that’s used all too often and too easily, but Robin Williams was literally iconic. His death in 2014 fell like a hammer blow, depriving us of a unique talent, a man with a remarkable ability to connect instinctively with others. The manner of his passing, and the rumours that followed, made that sense of loss sharper, yet the reason behind his death is a disease that remains comparatively unknown.
Tylor Norwood’s documentary, Robin’s Wish, aims to shed light on the effects of Lewy Body Dementia, the devastating condition that took over Williams mentally and physically. Through conversations with medical experts, the actor’s friends and his wife, Susan, the film reveals a rapid decline that was undiagnosed for some time. At the same time, the director also takes a look back at Williams’ career – his time at Julliard, his rise to fame on the stand-up circuit and his emergence as a huge acting talent in both comedic and dramatic roles.
In the interview below, Tylor Norwood describes how the idea for the film came from Susan Williams herself, how he responded to Robin Williams’ work and the story behind perhaps the most memorable photograph shown in the film.
Robin’s Wish is out on digital and on demand from Monday, 4 January 2021. For more information please visit the film’s official website.
