Boulevard - DVD

A wonderful performance by Robin Williams in a very touching film. Highly recommended.

As many have said, Robin Williams, in his final performance, leaves us a truly wonderful, albeit painful gift. I put off watching this film for weeks, feeling all but certain it would be so dreadfully sad. The very versatile actor Williams gives us a glimpse into the life of a 60 year old closeted man. It is so obvious that he is screaming at the top of his lungs, please, whatever you do, don't wind up living this pathetic and false existence!! Of course,as anyone who is living a life that is completely out of control, the sh== is going to hit the fan! It is was just inevitable, that the 2 lives were going to transverse at some point. The scene in the bank parking lot when the young man who Williams has created a secret relationship with, is there to extort $3200 dollars from Williams to get his supposed pimp to go easier on him, at least for the next 24 hours or so. Robin's characters life is on view for all to see, the bank employees and customers, are horrified at seeing the truth that this closeted man has fiercely protected. I think there is also an obvious factor that one cannot watch this film without thinking of the real life tragedy, that Williams found no other way out to his miseries, and took his own life. Robin was the absolutely perfect actor to play this part! To me the closet has to be the saddest existence, the mostawful falsehood that can create nothing but agony, and lack of fulfillment. I was on a flight recently from Copenhagen to NYC, and encountered a young male flight attendant who was the opposite of the main character in this film. He was as proud as a peacock that he was gay, and if anybody didn't like it, too bad! I indicated to him that I was gay too, and told him that I thought it was really great that he was being his authentic self, and he appreciated my words. The saddest individuals I have met in my life were terrified that somehow their "dirty little secret" of their sexuality was going to come to light. Their lives were going to come unraveled and then what were they going to do? Lying is always so much harder and far more stressful than telling the truth, and much more work! I'm not surprised this film did not do well at the box office, it is like being at the scene of a car accident where you can't bear to look, or turn away. It is so tormenting. I thought all the actors in this film were excellent. And for those of you who were hoping to see the more madcap side of Robin (Mrs. Doubtfire) in his final film , this was also Robin's gift, as someone on here wrote, he was so understated, so completely opposite of the manic parts he has played. RIP Robin, this might be your best work of all!!

I really liked this movie. It adressed alot of issues but leaves it up to you to answer them. I keep getting the feeling like I missed a few things...ok alot. Will need to watch it several times to absorb it all...yea it's that good.Ok, I did watch it a second time and caught alot of things I missed the first time. Will watch again and takes notes this time around on this little gem. There is alot that will just go over many people's heads.The two beds in two different bedrooms, the cruise, the professor, the dead end soul crushing job at the bank, a sixty year old man that has problems expressing anything sexual ...it's clear he cares for his wife but it's a relationship they both know was based on lies. He adores and is confused by the time he finds with his new found love... so much so that he refuses to express any sexual overtures... that it might spoil the occasions. The boy is seen as a soul mate that never was... rather than something just sexual...oh but the desire is there ...expressed both by a youth that wants to act on it and a elder who knows it could ruin everything...just brilliant. It's somewhat like the desire of any object we wish to have...but once we have it...it never lives up to what we first thought of it.Watched it again...Nolan is absolutely tone deaf when it comes to sexual ques that might lead to the next step...he's too afraid too even bat much less make it to first base. His whole life is based on a cruise that never sets sail. He's spent his whole life trying to live a role for the professor...unfortunately he fails at that too.The wife, the bank, the professor, the wife of the professor, Leo, the bank manager, the vice president of the bank...his relationships with all of them fail only because he fails to be honest with anyone. Everyone gives him a chance to shine and he fails not only them but more importantly...himself. There is always an escape hatch and he bails...every time. He gets frustrated with Leo but in many ways they are the same...refusing to learn or take advantage of new opportunities.Robin left us a gift...make sure your life is nothing like Nolan'sBeen thinking about this alot. The closing scene has him as a waiter...like to think he bought into a restaurant like he mentioned to Leo.For those that didn't like the acting...notice how he comes to life in the closing of the show.

It is sad to think that this is Robin Williams last film. The film I s sad and melancholy, although it does pick up by the end. Robin plays, Nolan, a quiet,reserved man who has worked in the same bank for 25 years. He is married to an undemanding,quiet wife, played by Kathy Baker. His best friend is played by Bob Odenkirk, a professor who has not found his dream.Nolan lives a comfortable life. He drives a Mercedes. He visits his father who lives in a nursing home. It seems their relationship was not one of great love, but of responsibility. Nolan lives his life quietly, but he has a secret. A secret he has carried for years and has repressed. One day he takes some action, and his secret is revealed to some. The most important aspect is that Nolan may be on his way to finding some happiness. A bank promotion is offered, but is Nolan ready?This film brings Robin Williams back to his quiet reserved character. He plays it beautifully, but it does not give the film much life. At times I was hoping the film would hurry along. The writing is exceptional, the acting superb, good-by Robin Williams.Recommended. prisrob 09-01-15

Much better than I expected after reading the lukewarm reviews. But I wanted to see Mr. Williams's final performance, so I purchased it anyway and he did not disappoint. It is one of his most restrained, sensitive and poignant performances. The film may be too slow for some people, but in my opinion it gives you a sense of the sadness and the isolation of the characters.

Robin Williams at his dramatic best. This is not a comedy.

Curiously affecting film about a midlife crisis.Beautifully acted ....

Great actor but did not realise what the film was about

Good film bit daunting but worth a watch robin Williams is great