Inside the Actor's Studio with Robin Williams DVD Review

Inside the Actor's Studio with Robin Williams is a must-have for fans of Robin Williams the comedian, but not necessarily Robin Williams the actor. Fan's of Williams' film work won't learn much about what makes him tick as an actor -- particularly when it comes to his better, more dramatic roles. Essentially, he turns the interview format into a nearly two-hour stand-up comedy routine, endlessly riffing and improvising entire bits based on everything from host James Lipton's questions to what the audience members are wearing.

I'm not the biggest fan of Robin Williams' comedy. I know he's got a ton of energy, and I know he's always improvising and inventing on the spot -- all of which do require talent and could be seen as tremendous positives. But the schtick just isn't for me. I find it tiresome, usually amounting to little more than a lot of fast talking and funny voices (funny voices = not actually funny).

I do, however, often like Robin Williams the actor. I should clarify that I mostly mean in some of his dramatic roles; I can't really think of a Robin Williams comedy I've ever found funny (though I do have a soft spot for Popeye). And even his dramatic work runs hot/cold; I enjoyed his performances in movies like Insomnia and and The Night Listener and, yes, even Good Will Hunting, but have little tolerance for sentimental junk like Patch Adams and What Dreams May Come.

Inside the Actor's Studio with Robin Williams is supposed to be an in-depth interview with the actor, but it's the comedian that shows up. Williams attempts to answer questions once in a while, but mostly can't resist mugging to the in-studio audience -- every time they laugh, it only eggs him on further. He goes on extended riffs about a scarf borrowed from an audience member (who turned out to be James Lipton's goddaughter), a drunk airline pilot and more. If you like his stand-up, you'll be tickled. I wasn't.

When he does settle down enough to open up a little, such as when he begins to discuss his battle with addiction, the interview does begin to hold interest. It's not too long, however, before Williams is out of his chair and onto another tangent.

Maybe by revealing very little about him, Inside the Actor's Studio actually says a lot about the comedian. Comedy is clearly a defense against getting too personal. Maybe there is no knowing the man. The comedian won't let us.