Whether you buy Roger Kabler‘s story or not, it’s entirely up to you. What you can’t deny is that the result of the very peculiar event that changed his life is a beautiful tribute to one of the best comedians who ever lived.
Regardless of age gaps and generations, we were all impacted when we heard the news that Robin Williams had passed away. Kabler was among those who were shocked to learn that one of their favorite people had died under tragic circumstances. We won’t expand on what led Williams to commit suicide, but his problems with depression surely led him to do this. Kabler, a professional actor and comedian, faced bipolar disorder, and he connected with Williams beyond the great display of comedy. Mental health was also their connection.
What followed was Kabler saw Williams. He showed up in his dreams, and also while daydreaming. The comedian couldn’t disconnect from the spirit of the actor, who was expressing himself through the vessel of a very disturbed man. This caused Kabler to embody Williams in inexplicable ways.
Being Robin is a documentary about Kabler’s journey in paying tribute by following an organic calling. He would put together a standup show where he played Williams. The physical expression and the jokes were good enough to get national acclaim. While the intention of the documentary was surely another when Kabler decided to do it (he also directs the film), COVID-19 hit, and he was forced to fill in the gaps.
The result is a film informative enough to understand Kabler’s role in a situation that perhaps not even he understands. His partner, a doctor, often calls him, and she’s forced to support the silence of a man who’s always in character. While many would question the limits of Kabler’s actions when giving life to a dead entity, Being Robin, the act and the documentary, are works of love towards a man and his art. There’s no better adversary than a lack of confidence in Kabler, but his work is good enough to leave you speechless.
Blurring the lines between a tribute and… something else is sometimes necessary to understand Kabler’s journey. It is something not everyone would do, so it’s in that pit of doubt that we may find ourselves seeking some answers. Kabler could be a delusional madman who claims to see dead people. Or there’s also the easiest answer of all: what happens when you admire someone to the point of turning into that person?
It’s understandable that some people will frown at some of the movie’s claims, but it’s alright. Kabler’s performance, one that’s well-documented in the movie, is riveting. What is also important is that he doesn’t deny there’s some work to do. It’s no cautionary tale for mental health issues, but Kabler will convince you to seek help whenever necessary. And he’ll do so while wearing the golden smile of his idol, one of the greatest performers in cinema and TV history.
Film critic. Lover of all things horror. Member of the OFCS. RT Approved Critic.
