Robin Williams is one of my favorite performers and he has had a very interesting life, easily could be transformed into a great movie, made for TV or otherwise. Unfortunately the creators of this TV film chose to focus on one very small aspect of William's life and condense it.
The Unauthorized Story of Mork and Mindy begins when William's career is about to take off. He's living in a small apartment with his girlfriend working the clubs, and the park trying his over the top comedy on everyone. He's losing hope that he'll ever make it big. Big time TV producer Garry Marshall has two of the top TV shows on television in Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley and is looking for another hit. Together with his writer Harvey they are looking for something different to bring back high ratings for the sloping Happy Days. They want to write in an Alien. Someone suggest newcomer comedian Jay Leno for the role and when Harvey goes to meet Leno he runs into Robin Williams who blows him away. Williams does a whirlwind audition for Marshall and he gets hired. The appearance of Mork on Happy Days is so successful that Marhsall creates the classic series spin off starring Williams. The show launches Williams into stardom and a life of women, drugs, and more money than he can imagine. After the first season the network tries to change Mork and Mindy and it's not for the better. Despite their attempts to keep it afloat the show is crashing and so is Williams. His partying lifestyle has caused him to lose his wife and his sanity. He is in danger of losing it all. With the help of his estranged wife and his co-stars he realizes he must stop and overcome his addiction.
The movie is NOT about Mork and Mindy...vaguely. It's more about Williams rise and fall and his addiction. Not that it shouldn't be but it should have done a better job of telling the story. The shining point is the cast. Relative newcomer Chris Diamantopoulos is absolutely amazing as Williams. His look, his mannerisms, his voice and the fact that he is able to become not only Williams but every aspect of Williams' characters and behavior. He is astounding!! Not only is he amazing but his supporting cast Erinn Hayes as Pam Dawber, Daniel Roebuck as Garry Marshall, Tyler Labine as John Belushi, David Richmond-Peck, Michelle Harrison as Valerie Velardi, they are all magnificent in their roles!! Unfortunately they are wasted on a condensed rushed script that was churned out for May sweeps...except in April. I hope to see someone do a better story with equally great casting. 6.5/10
The Unauthorized Story of Mork and Mindy begins when William's career is about to take off. He's living in a small apartment with his girlfriend working the clubs, and the park trying his over the top comedy on everyone. He's losing hope that he'll ever make it big. Big time TV producer Garry Marshall has two of the top TV shows on television in Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley and is looking for another hit. Together with his writer Harvey they are looking for something different to bring back high ratings for the sloping Happy Days. They want to write in an Alien. Someone suggest newcomer comedian Jay Leno for the role and when Harvey goes to meet Leno he runs into Robin Williams who blows him away. Williams does a whirlwind audition for Marshall and he gets hired. The appearance of Mork on Happy Days is so successful that Marhsall creates the classic series spin off starring Williams. The show launches Williams into stardom and a life of women, drugs, and more money than he can imagine. After the first season the network tries to change Mork and Mindy and it's not for the better. Despite their attempts to keep it afloat the show is crashing and so is Williams. His partying lifestyle has caused him to lose his wife and his sanity. He is in danger of losing it all. With the help of his estranged wife and his co-stars he realizes he must stop and overcome his addiction.
The movie is NOT about Mork and Mindy...vaguely. It's more about Williams rise and fall and his addiction. Not that it shouldn't be but it should have done a better job of telling the story. The shining point is the cast. Relative newcomer Chris Diamantopoulos is absolutely amazing as Williams. His look, his mannerisms, his voice and the fact that he is able to become not only Williams but every aspect of Williams' characters and behavior. He is astounding!! Not only is he amazing but his supporting cast Erinn Hayes as Pam Dawber, Daniel Roebuck as Garry Marshall, Tyler Labine as John Belushi, David Richmond-Peck, Michelle Harrison as Valerie Velardi, they are all magnificent in their roles!! Unfortunately they are wasted on a condensed rushed script that was churned out for May sweeps...except in April. I hope to see someone do a better story with equally great casting. 6.5/10
