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IMDbPro

Seize the Day

  • 1986
  • Unrated
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Robin Williams in Seize the Day (1986)
Drama

Tommy Wilhelm is a good honest man who's fallen on hard times after losing his job, but what really gets to Tommy is seeing both his friends and family turning their backs on him one after t... Read allTommy Wilhelm is a good honest man who's fallen on hard times after losing his job, but what really gets to Tommy is seeing both his friends and family turning their backs on him one after the other. He tries to seize the day - in vain.Tommy Wilhelm is a good honest man who's fallen on hard times after losing his job, but what really gets to Tommy is seeing both his friends and family turning their backs on him one after the other. He tries to seize the day - in vain.

  • Director
    • Fielder Cook
  • Writers
    • Saul Bellow
    • Ronald Ribman
  • Stars
    • Robin Williams
    • Richard B. Shull
    • David Bickford
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    5.8/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Fielder Cook
    • Writers
      • Saul Bellow
      • Ronald Ribman
    • Stars
      • Robin Williams
      • Richard B. Shull
      • David Bickford
    • 28User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 1 nomination

    Photos29

    Gillien Goll with Robin Williams in "Seize the Day (1986)"
    Robin Williams in Seize the Day (1986)
    Robin Williams in Seize the Day (1986)
    Robin Williams in Seize the Day (1986)
    Robin Williams in Seize the Day (1986)
    Robin Williams in Seize the Day (1986)
    Robin Williams in Seize the Day (1986)
    Robin Williams and Jerry Stiller in Seize the Day (1986)
    Robin Williams in Seize the Day (1986)
    Jerry Stiller in Seize the Day (1986)
    Robin Williams in Seize the Day (1986)
    Robin Williams and Jerry Stiller in Seize the Day (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Robin Williams
    Robin Williams
    • Tommy Wilhelm
    Richard B. Shull
    Richard B. Shull
    • Rojax
    David Bickford
    David Bickford
    • Son-in-Law
    Glenne Headly
    Glenne Headly
    • Olive
    Stephen Strimpell
    Stephen Strimpell
    • Stockbroker
    Joseph Wiseman
    Joseph Wiseman
    • Dr. Adler
    Jayne Heller
    • Mrs. Adler
    Katherine Borowitz
    Katherine Borowitz
    • Margaret
    John Fiedler
    John Fiedler
    • Carl
    William Duell
    • Joey
    Jerry Stiller
    Jerry Stiller
    • Dr. Tamkin
    James Cahill
    • Phil
    Louis Guss
    • Rubin
    Gillien Goll
    Gillien Goll
    • Receptionist
    Mara Lori
    • Little Girl
    Fran Brill
    Fran Brill
    • Mother
    Steve Vinovich
    Steve Vinovich
    • Zeigler
    Tony Roberts
    Tony Roberts
    • Bernie Pell
    • Director
      • Fielder Cook
    • Writers
      • Saul Bellow
      • Ronald Ribman
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Coincidentally, Robin Williams went on to star in Dead Poets Society (1989) in which, as a teacher, he extolled the proverb - "carpe diem" - Latin for "seize the day."
    • Goofs
      As Tommy drives through the suburbs, cars from the 1980s can be seen parked in driveways.
    • Quotes

      Man in Elevator: The truth is one parent can support ten children but ten children can't support one parent.

    • Crazy credits
      After the end credits have rolled, this can be seen: ...for Joe, who taught so many to seize each day.
    • Connections
      References Popeye (1980)

    User reviews28

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Bellow's Death of a Salesman
    This film is a match for Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. A very tightly controlled drama with richly vivid characters and the casting is excellent. Robin Willimas has never done anything better and without all of that comedy schtick that he is so famous for. Joseph Wiseman is an absolute monster and that 'hotel' they live in might as well be hell. It is even depicted as hell with those scenes in the steam room/spa with all those walking corpses wondering around. I read the novel this was based on nearly thirty years ago, and my feeling then as now, seeing the film, is that there is no resolution. Wilkie has no exit from his situation. One thing for sure, he needs to get away from those people (his girlfriend seems to be in love w/him, regardless of the money, so that's something). I give this a very strong recommendation.
    helpful•14
    2
    • ken2000
    • Apr 5, 2004

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 9, 1986 (Canada)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Das Geschäft des Lebens
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Learning in Focus
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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