This isn’t a disrespectful attempt to newsjack the release of Boulevard, Robin Williams’s final film. The current blog post was resting comfortably in my editorial calendar for several months.
I’ve experienced many emotions since the beloved actor-comedian’s suicide last year (on August 11, 2014). But I delayed blogging about Mr. Williams because I didn’t want to “catch” the tidal wave of news-related relevancy.
My plan was to wait a long while before seasoning the ever-snarky flavor of this humble business blog with Robin Williams’s brilliant humor.
But now, Boulevard is out. Its presence in movie theaters reminds us (again) of the magnitude of what Robin’s loyal audience lost last summer.
This entry isn’t meant to be a sad journey. It’s a tribute to the meaningfulness of one man’s career. Please remember that as you read my “love post” to frustrated job- and client-seekers everywhere:
The World According to Garp Is Full of Aspirational Job-Interview Angst: You might not remember this quirky 1982 film based on John Irving’s even quirkier 1978 novel of the same name, but Robin Williams was in it. He played the title character, T.S. Garp.
The movie’s script contains many clever double entendres. My favorite one occurs when Garp is having a conversation with his son, Walter. When asked by the little boy what “gradual school” is (because his mother, Garp’s wife Helen, told him she teaches there), Robin’s character explains to Walter that:
“…gradual school is where you go to school and you gradually find out you don’t want to go to school anymore.”
When asked during a job interview about your educational pursuits, this can serve as your go-to answer.
Catapult Yourself Over the Bad-Meeting Cliff with Cadillac Man: For the ultimate comeback at the end of a painful job interview or crazy-client send-off, look no further than 1990’s Cadillac Man, starring Robin Williams and Tim Robbins.
As Joey O’Brien, Williams is a car salesman with women/family issues and a $20,000 debt to a local mobster. Tim Robbins is Larry, the jealous husband of one of Joey’s co-workers. He comes to the dealership packing heat in the form of a machine gun and takes everyone hostage. But I digress…
During a moment when Joey O’Brien trades insults with a photographer, he utters this charming gem:
“You know what you are–you’re an ass-half…Takes two of you to make an asshole.”
Score–a direct hit. Use this one sparingly!
Good Morning Vietnam Is the Ultimate Business-Jargon Guide: Every industry has its secret language. Consider memorizing this bit of Robin Williams dialogue from the fabulous Good Morning Vietnam as a way to demonstrate your verbal prowess.
For those of you who need a gentle reminder, Robin portrayed real-life disc jockey Adrian Cronauer (formerly of the U.S. Armed Radio Service) in the film.
One of Robin’s higher-ups flings military abbreviations while they discuss a press conference about to be given by former Vice President Richard Nixon. (Tricky Dick served under Dwight D. Eisenhower before being elected president in 1968).
Cronauer responds to his superior via some killer dialogue during the classified conversation. Here’s how you throw down industry jargon with your future boss, co-worker or client, Robin Williams style:
“Excuse me, sir. Seeing as how the VP is such a VIP, shouldn’t we keep the PC on the QT? ‘Cause if it leaks to the VC he could end up MIA, and then we’d all be put out in KP.”
HUA!
Embellish Your Personal Philosophy for Business Purposes via Awakenings: Let’s say you’re wooing a new employer or client. Eventually, you’re asked to state your personal philosophy.
One of the many splendid quotes from Robin Williams’s portrayal of Dr. Malcolm Sayer (in real life, Dr. Oliver Sacks) in the movie Awakenings should seal the deal for you.
Besides demonstrating Williams’s emotional depth as an actor, Awakenings is based on one heck of a true story. The real Dr. Sacks conducted L-Dopa experiments with his patients at a Bronx chronic-care facility in the late 1960s.
The drug was originally intended for people with Parkinson’s disease, but it “awakened” Dr. Sacks’s patients from their viral-produced stupor. His patients were victims of the encephalitis lethargica epidemic that raged throughout the U.S. for a decade after World War I.
In a crucial scene toward the end of the film, Dr. Sayer tries explain to an audience of research-grant donors why the L-Dopa drug stopped working for his patients. He lays this profound philosophy on all those present:
“…the human spirit is more powerful than any drug–and that is what needs to be nourished: with work, play, friendship and family. THESE are the things that matter. This is what we’d forgotten–the simplest things.”
Ka-pow! You just nailed your final job interview or prospective-client meeting…
Another Way to Seal a Business Deal–Borrow from Dead Poets Society: This is the Robin Williams film from which you pull a heavy-duty quote when you’re closing in on a new job opportunity or asking a prospective client to sign your contract.
I won’t pluck too emotional of a string here–I realize Dead Poets Society dredges up deep feelings for many of us.
When it’s time to make your final pitch, rely on Mr. John Keating (of the fictional Welton Academy in late-1950s New England) to guide you to success:
“…you must strive to find your own voice. Because the longer you wait to begin, the less likely you are to find it at all. Thoreau said, ‘Most men lead lives of quiet desperation.’ Don’t be resigned to that. Break out!”
Hone Your Ability to Refrain from Inappropriate Humor via Mrs. Doubtfire: When asked about your sense of humor during a final job interview, refer to this classic response from Mrs. Doubtfire. Don’t waste it on a screening interview!
It occurs in the scene when Daniel Hillard (aka Robin Williams) meets with Mrs. Sellner, the social worker assigned to him during his divorce proceedings. Daniel attempts to entertain her with his special skill: doing voices. And fails…
Mrs. Sellner: “Mr. Hillard, do you consider yourself humorous?” Daniel: “I used to. There was a time when I found myself funny, but today you have proven me wrong. Thank you.”
Nothing Redirects Interview Inattention Like This Peculiar Good Will Hunting Quote: I would be remiss by deliberately ignoring the film that gifted Robin Williams with a well-deserved Academy Award. As I type, many inspirational quotes from the film are circulating around the Internet.
However, I decline to highlight any of the well-known words of counseling wisdom spoken by Robin Williams (as Sean Maguire, psychology professor at Bunker Hill Community College). Nope. The link to those expected sentiments is provided above.
When an interview begins to crumble, fade away or turn lopsided, you need to take control. You must stun your interviewer into silence before grabbing the reins and redirecting the interview. Here’s the Good Will Hunting line of dialogue that’s bound to help you achieve this goal:
“(See you Monday.) We’ll be talking about Freud and why he did enough cocaine to kill a small horse.”
BAM–mission accomplished!
Try one of these additional Robin Williams zingers when pursuing your next employment opportunity or prospective client/customer:
From Toys: “Four stores and many Christmases ago, my father brought forth a factory conceived in innocence and joy and squeezable fun for everyone.” OR “There’s a madman at the factory, and it’s no longer me.” (Robin Williams as Leslie Zevo)
From What Dreams May Come: “What some folks call impossible, is just stuff they haven’t seen before.” (Robin Williams as Chris Nielsen)
From Death to Smoochy: “Do not start with your magician’s tricks, young Moses! I am Pharaoh! And you are my slave. And this…is my kingdom!” (Robin Williams as Randolph Rainbow)
From Jack: “What do I want to be when I grow up? Alive.” (Robin Williams as Jack Charles Powell, aka Jack)
From Night at the Museum (the first one): “Anything’s possible, [fill in the appropriate name]. If it can be dreamed, it can be done. Hence the twenty-foot jackal staring right at you.” (Robin Williams as Teddy Roosevelt–bully!)
Have you ever found yourself quoting a Robin Williams film character during a business meeting or job interview? Which snippet did you use? What was your intended recipient’s reaction to your sharing of Williams-style movie wisdom?
Again, this post is no mockery of Robin Williams’s movie-dialogue repertoire. Whether your situation requires a brilliant interview answer or enough inspiration to nudge a business transaction into the winner’s circle, Robin Williams’s films will always be there for you.
Lori Shapiro is the owner of By All Writes LLC, a business-to-business (B2B) writing, editing, and research company in Marlton, New Jersey. She revels in shielding her clients from the pain of writing their own print or web marketing and educational copy. Please call Lori Shapiro at 856-810-9764 or e-mail By All Writes LLC at lori@byallwrites.biz for a no-obligation project quote today!
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