The trailer for Robin Williams’ final drama, "Boulevard," was released Thursday, and its intense storyline in which his character examines the source of his unhappiness has a poignant parallel to Williams’ life and struggle with depression.
"Boulevard," which will be in theaters in July, is about the life of Nolan Mack, a man going through the motions in a boring, steady life and who is sleeping in a separate bedroom from his wife, played by Kathy Baker. When Nolan is forced to confront his homosexual feelings, he begins a pivotal, heartbreaking and yet joyful change.
"He's not a closeted man who has had anonymous gay liaisons all his life; from what we see, he doesn't even appear to have a stash of hidden porn,"
The Hollywood Reporter wrote of the movie. "He realized he was gay the summer he turned 12, and evidently went on about his life as if he didn't know."
"In one of the least showy performances of his career, Williams creates a character who, as written by Douglas Soesbe, doesn't feel much like the men we've seen handle similar turning points onscreen," THR said.
Williams' final dramatic performance was praised by critics when the film was shown in 2014 at the Tribeca Film Festival, months before the actor's death.
"Tapping into that same loneliness felt in 'One Hour Photo' and 'Good Will Hunting,' the actor projects a regret so deep and identifiable, viewers should have no trouble connecting it to whatever is missing in their own lives — whether those regrets are romantic, sexual, professional or spiritual,"
film critic Peter DeBruge wrote in Variety.
In the review, he also said Williams was "in morose rather than manic mode."
Williams killed himself Aug. 11, 2014, after years of struggling with depression. “Boulevard” is one of his last performances. "The Oscar-winning actor has been posthumously seen in the dark comedy 'A Merry Friggin' Christmas' and in the family fantasy flick 'Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,'"
UPI reported. "Still set for release is the animated movie 'Absolutely Anything,' which will feature the beloved entertainer's last vocal performance."
Related Stories: