Product Details

• Actors: Robin Williams, Richard B. Shull, David Bickford, Glenne Headly, Stephen Strimpell
• Directors: Fielder Cook
• Writers: Ronald Ribman, Saul Bellow
• Producers: Brian Benlifer, Chiz Schultz, Robert Geller
• Format: Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: Unrated
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Monterey Video
• VHS Release Date: November 11, 1998
• Run Time: 93 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302990033
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #382,930 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This 1986 film--a dead-serious performance by Robin Williams, minus the overlay of schmaltz that informed his acting in the late 1990s--sat on the shelf and had no theatrical release, for obvious reasons: the film has the downbeat spiral of a 1970s film, relentless in its depiction of human frailty at the breaking point. That doesn't mean it's a bad film; to the contrary, it's actually quite a good film. But it is in no way audience-friendly in its vision of a human being who has reached the end of his tether. Directed by Fielder Cook, it's based on a Saul Bellow novel and strikes exactly the right note, a combination of absurdity and dread. Williams has the desperate energy of a man approaching 40 with nothing to show for his life--and a disapproving, disappointed father he's constantly trying to impress. Jerry Stiller is great as Williams's seeming friend, who hooks him into a business deal guaranteed to change his life and his luck. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PITIFUL, November 19, 2000

By 

Bonita L. Davis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seize the Day [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Willy is pitiful! A middle-age man and he still can't get his act together. Earlier in his life he rebels against his parents wishes and attempts to make his own way but can never seem to get it together. His life is what....?

Robin Williams gives us an excellent portrait of a man who rebels for the right reasons but is missing that mysterious "something" which can give his life meaning. Attempting to fill the void in his life is the challenge he faces throughout the film. You feel sorry and at the same time find yourself disgusted with the character who never seems to grows up.

Saul Bellow's work has been easily adapted to the screen with fine actors who will keep you going. His commentary about life, the myth of hard work and fulfilling dreams make you question your own life. Is it worth being in the rat race? Watch this movie and you will see.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite and painful., August 21, 2000

By 

Gilad L. Rosner "Techno-generalist" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Seize the Day [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This film is one of Robin Williams' best performances. Perfect as Saul Bellow's protagonist, Williams plays Wilky Adler, a man approaching an inevitable mid-life crisis. Wilky is pathetic and pitiable, an everyman who could never get his life in order. Devoid of redemption, this film is familiar and painful, with stellar acting from Williams, Joseph Wiseman (Dr. Adler), and Jerry Stiller (Dr. Tamkin).

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Williams the actor, January 11, 2007

By 

sklaw5 "sklaw5" (Phila.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Seize the Day (DVD)

I know it sounds sacreligious, but I've never thought Robin Williams was funny and the harder he tries to be funny the more unfunny I find him. I was really impressed therefore, the first time I saw him in a dramatic performance a few years ago and it was Seize the Day. I had no idea that he had such talent. He communicates everything that there is to be felt in the story by the strength of his performance.