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Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction (2009)

The master comedian performs in Washington DC and gives his wry observations about life, politics and his health.

Director:

Marty Callner

Writer:

Robin Williams
Reviews
Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 nomination. See more awards »

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Cast

Credited cast:
Robin Williams ... Self
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Storyline

In this comedy special taped at DAR Constitution Hall, his first solo special on the network in seven years, Williams covers such topics as global warming, sex and politics, the state of health care in the country (suggesting a cash for clunkers program for elderly relatives, among other things), drugs - recreational and otherwise - and more personal topics, including his recent heart surgery. Written by HBO Publicity

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Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

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Did You Know?

Quotes

Robin Williams: [about his heart surgery] The drug they gave me for the surgery was a drug called Propofol. Which... its nickname is milk of amnesia. Fucking insane drug. I had that in a surgical situation. Michael Jackson was taking Propofol at home to sleep. Fuck off!
[laughter]
Robin Williams: A doctor said taking Propofol to sleep is like doing chemotherapy because you're tired of shaving your fucking head.
[laughter]
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Connections

References Brokeback Mountain (2005) See more »

Soundtracks

Bawitdaba
(uncredited)
Written by RJ Ritchie, Matt Shafer, and Jason Krause
Performed by Kid Rock
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User Reviews

 
Williams a little late for his self destruction.
24 November 2010 | by st-shotSee all my reviews

It would be a safe bet to claim mercurial funny man Robin Williams hasn't been funny since the last century. Age and stale material repackaged with the same zany but winded nuances stopped being amusing some time back. With a film career on life support Williams returns to the place where he got his start, stand-up, and promptly falls on his ass.

From the outset Williams sweats and shrinks before our eyes in a hallowed cavernous DC auditorium as he huffs and puffs his way about the stage with the same routine worn paper thin by decades of the same shtick on endless talk shows and incorporated into films that won him critical praise. In Destruction he leaps on today's topics with the same manic enthusiasm he did in his youth but the novelty and Puckish charm are long gone and instead we get a sloven heavily caffeinated, perspiring old man where the cutesy gets creepy.

Williamsis somewhere between Ork and Dangerfield and incapable of handling it with Rodney's unique savoir faire. It is a cringing performance to witness, made even more evident by the audience response where the only thing that brings down the house is the wistful sentimentality for this over the hill repetitive dinosaur who now has to resort to dick and pussy jokes to get forced laughs from hipsters as he enters and exits, albeit a decade or two too late.


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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

6 December 2009 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Robin Williams: Weapons of Self Destruction See more »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Stereo (PCM)

Color:

Color
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