Robin Williams Tribute Month: The World According To Garp (1982)

Out of all of Robin Williams' comedic roles, The World According To Garp is probably one of his most subtle. Sure, there are some hilarious moments, but he hasn't quite gotten to that manic state that he would be known for half a decade later. This is also Williams' first big starring role, unless you're counting Robert Altman's Popeye and I don't think anyone really counts that one.

Jenny Fields (Glenn Close) is a feminist woman who wants a child, but not a husband. After she rapes a soldier in the war hospital where she works, she gets her wish. She raises her son T.S. Garp (T.S. standing for Technical Sergeant) the way she wants to. We get an insight into Garp's early years, but the fun doesn't really start until he is in his early 20's.

When Garp (Williams) is at college he expresses a keen interest into both wrestling and writing and he excels at both. He has a passion to be a writer, which he is really good at, but it isn't until he meets Helen Holm (Mary Beth Hurt) that he really strives toward it. It is at this time that his mother notices lust for the first time in Garp and decides to write her own book on the subject.

Jenny soon releases her book A Sexual Suspect, which is part autobiographical. This is both a huge success with feminists and overshadows the release of Garp's book. Garp decides to settle down with Helen to pursue his career, whilst his mother sets up a feminist colony.

One thing about this movie is that it is incredibly long (it quite literally tracks one man's entire lifespan), but it is also incredibly rewarding and fun.Williams has many one liners about the situations that he finds himself in that cracked me up. This movie has its poignant moments too that can't really be forgotten.

The majority of the performances are fantastic. I am not really a fan of Glenn Close at all, but her performance is fantastic, considering that this was her debut film. She is a very strict mother, but at the same time you can tell that she loves Garp more than anything. John Lithgow gives a performance that will make me look at a different light forever. He plays transsexual ex-football player Roberta Muldoon. His performance is amazing as this big woman who is very gentle.

Of course this movie would be nothing without Williams. He is very gentle and softly spoken throughout the film although there are times where his character does get quite angry. It is fun to see him in a role that came after his serious acting training at Julliard and before his manic, crazy movie roles that would make him famous in the years to come.

Verdict: A fun and touching movie about the life of T.S. (Terribly Sexy) Garp.