Robin Williams Acting for the Homeless

by Rev. Patrick J. Harbula and Mary Ann Wilson, M.A.

 

Homeless is a place without warmth, safety or dignity. It is a bed without a mattress, a room without walls. Unless one’s heart turns cold, it is always painful to look at a person who lives on the streets. The thought, “What if that happened to me?” is a chilling one because it could happen; many homeless people are victims of intense emotional trauma and bad luck. It is estimated that 27 million in this country are only one paycheck away from eviction. The homeless lack the safety net-a network of supportive friends and family that all of us depend on in times of economic and emotional crisis.

Robin Williams is one of the many influential host of stars who have contributed to the cause of ending homelessness. His latest hit, The Fisher King, produced by Tri-Star, directed by Terry Gilliam and co-starring Jeff Bridges makes a powerful statement for the homeless.

In the film, Williams plays a part that could not have been scripted better for his genius talent and large heart. His own personal compassion is evident as he portrays a schizophrenic homeless person named Parry. Parry believes he is a knight, and the New York slums are his medieval playground. He is on a quest to capture the mythical Holy Grail which in reality is a trophy resting in the estate of a wealthy tycoon. Along the way of his noble quest, he runs to the rescue of any unfortunate who falls prey to the abuses of the Big Apple.

Williams character reflects the fact that many of the homeless arrive on the streets as a result of mental illness. In the 60s and 70s, hundreds of thousands were released from institutions into the care of local communities. It was believed that the mentally ill would be better served through community-based mental health centers. The communities, however, were not prepared to meet the needs of the mentally ill. In the end, many were abandoned to the streets.

William describes his role as a man with a previous life that was so damaged that he had to create another personality. “It’s like post-traumatic stress syndrome. Some people respond to traumatic or tragic events by withdrawal, some even create other personalities. Parry is a creation-somewhat Don Quixote, somewhat Groucho Marx – but he’s a creation designed to avoid a past event.” The role was physically grueling for Williams and taught him how incredibly lonely it is for people on the streets.

In the movie, Jeff Bridges plays a successful but cold radio talk show host, Jack Lucas, whose popularity is based on his cynical outspokenness about yuppies, morality and society. Our first impression of him is harsh. As a homeless man knocks on the window of his limo and begs for money, Jack says, “I’m not going to open the window! 25 cents isn’t going to make a difference anyway.”

 

14 Ways to Act For The Homeless
by The National Alliance to End Homelessness

• Organize a food drive and deliver the food collected to a local food pantry or soup kitchen.
• Volunteer to work at a shelter.
• Organize a holiday party for homeless children at your church or synagogue.
• Organize a clothing drive and deliver the clothing to a local shelter or agency.
• Teach homeless adults to read.
• Help homeless adults by helping them search the want ads and filling out employment applications.
• Collect toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) and deliver them to a local shelter.
• Collect household items and donate them to a program that helps homeless people move into their own homes.
• Professionals can donate their time and skills to the homeless (health practitioners, lawyers, teachers, barbers, etc.)
• Help your church/synagogue/shelter set up recreation programs for homeless children.
• Help homeless individuals find housing.
• Raise funds through raffles or carnivals and donate the proceeds to a local shelter.
• Lobby local and federal officials to implement programs to help the homeless.
• Become a member of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

 

Jack loses his job because a psychotic caller on the program took his cynicism too seriously and killed seven people in a “yuppie watering hole.” Jeff becomes a chronic alcoholic, perhaps a heartbeat away from street life himself. In fact, he is mistaken for a homeless person by a child who offers him a Pinochio doll as a gift. He decides to end it all at the river when he is accosted by teenagers intent to rid the neighborhood of “scum.”

Parry shows up with sword and trash can cover shield and saves Jack’s life just before he is torched by the two vigilantes. As the plot thickens we learn that Parry’s vagabond plight is the result of the death of his young wife, killed years before by Jeff’s psychotic listener. The guilt-ridden Jack becomes determined to atone for his bad karma by helping Parry.

The film illustrates brilliantly and many times comically that homelessness is not necessarily the plight of the less industrious. Many homeless arrive at their destination through some overwhelming circumstance, or a series of misfortunes that cannot be emotionally handled. In a recent interview on Entertainment Tonight, Williams pointed out “if people are talking to themselves and crazy, it really comes from some deep and disturbing problems.” The film accurately portrays the way in which Parry’s psychological disorder and resultant economic downfall is the result of his inability to face the trauma of his wife’s brutal death.

The Grail, in its modern day adaptation, becomes a spiritual symbol of compassion. The role of Jack Lucas portrays the transformation of a cold-hearted individual into a loving individual who takes action. Bridges says, “the film’s about redemption, about healing wounds and how giving and getting are really pretty much the same thing. My character really gets the ultimate gift by his giving, not by his receiving.” Bridges is another influential figure who has devoted energy to the needy. He has been a regular participant in the annual Run for LIFE (Love Is Feeding Everyone) Marathon which raises money to feed hungry people in Los Angeles.

Both the stars’ personal compassion instills in the film a genuine intensity that impacts upon the heart of the viewer. To know that behind the characters are real people who dedicate time and energy to make a difference is inspiring. Credit is due to Tri-Star Productions, Terry Gilliam, Robin Williams and Jeff Bridges. They broke new cinema trails by succeeding in addressing a social issue that many people prefer to ignore, while managing to inspire, entertain and create a box office hit. This statement sends a message to the movie industry and to society as well-benefit by making a difference.

The homeless problem continues to grow despite the diligent work of many dedicated people around the country. According to recent surveys, no city enjoys an increase in the homeless population. The average increase in most cities is somewhere between 15 to 50 percent. The National Alliance to End Homelessness estimates that 736,000 Americans are homeless on any given night and up to 2.3 million are homeless over the course of a year.

People sometimes believe that homelessness is due to a lack of ability or desire to work. Although unemployment is a major contributor to the homeless problem, a growing number of homeless do work full or part-time but do not make enough to afford housing.

 

“It’s a fine line between preaching to people and playing with them. Comedy allows you to say certain things that while people are laughing they can digest them quicker.”
–Robin Williams

 

The most significant change in the homeless population is the increasing number of homeless families with young children, accounting for 33 percent of the entire homeless population. Homeless children now represent one out of every four homeless people.

According to the 98^th Annual American Psychiatric Association Convention reports, adolescents are living on the streets at a much younger age than they did several years ago and have more problems, including health problems, than adult homeless people.

The idea to combine comedy with an issue most would rather not address is both brilliant and effective. Confronting the homeless problem often creates heavy feelings of frustration and guilt. Comedy lightens and creates perspective, thereby augmenting the ability to create a resolution. It is easier to contribute when we feel good about an issue and have the perspective to believe in a solution. Magical Blend magazine published an interview where, in one of the rare instances, Williams expressed many of his personal perspectives. (Most of his passions are demonstrated in actions rather than words). In the interview he says, “It’s a fine line between preaching to people and playing with them. Comedy allows you to say certain things that while people are laughing they can digest them quicker. Like someone saying ‘Oh he was talking about war. So strange, I was laughing.’ It’s always been the purpose of comedy to make fun of things that are near and dear to people.”

Williams has donated much time and effort toward the homeless cause through his work with Comic Relief. He has hosted the nationally televised show every year with Whoopi Goldberg and Billy Crystal since its inception in 1987.

On May 16, 1992, the triple-hitter trio will host Comic Relief’s fifth anniversary show on HBO. And on November 16, HBO will air Comic Relief’s Greatest Hits, a compilation of the funniest moments of the past four years. Williams and company spent the end of September shooting new “wrap arounds” for the classic clips to spice up the show.

The key to Comic Relief’s success – they don’t just make us laugh, they manage their organization and funds well. Comic Relief’s Activities Report explains that it avoided significant costs and delays by working with an established network of project sites – the National Health Care for the Homeless Program, which consists of project sites in 23 U.S. cities.

In 1990, Comic Relief broke all previous records and brought in over $9.3 million. CR claims that nearly 100 percent of all pledge donations continue to go directly to services for homeless people. The staff salaries and administrative costs are funded by HBO. As Williams said in Comic Relief II, “From the first, Comic Relief is different, not just because of the stars, but because of the commitment that the money that people like you gave would go directly to help a homeless man, woman or child.”

Much of the homeless problem is due to lack of affordable housing and the decrease of federal support. Since 1980, the Federal Housing program has been cut by over 75 percent. In addition, cutbacks in Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC), the Food Stamp Program, and the discontinuance of benefits to large numbers of elderly and disabled, have all added to the number of poor and homeless. According to recent polls, most Americans support efforts to end homelessness. When people are asked if they were willing to pay more taxes if they knew the money was going toward affordable housing, 80 percent answered yes.

Another prime factor is unemployment. In many parts of the country, industries and occupations that traditionally employ large numbers of people have had to enforce massive layoffs. In the Midwest, the foreclosures of farms has displaced families who, for generations have worked the soil. Depressions in the timber, fishing, oil and aerospace industries have led to the increased homeless crisis.

Williams addressed this issue in the opening skit for the first HBO special. He played a patriotic homeless person from the Midwest. He said in a heavy farmer accent, “Ah love this cuntry. Ah know the govermeynt took away ma fawrm but what the heyck…they gayve me some cheeyse. Sheesh, Ah couldn’t aete the kaka but….I could build with it. Ah mayd a cheddar adoby kinda thang. Ah miss it though, Casa Velvita-until them rats came along.”

Williams efforts have gone beyond comedy in his quest for human compassion. In May of 1990, Williams and Goldberg testified before the Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee to introduce the Homelessness Prevention and Community Revitalization Act of 1990. The legislation was designed to provide long-term assistance to the homeless, including mental health services, health care, job training, education and emergency services. Williams and Goldberg testified, sharing their views in an often impassioned exchange. Williams summed up the urgency of the request with an executive appeal: “George, read my lips. Help us.” The Act was incorporated into the Steward B. McKinney Homelessness Assistance Amendments Act of 1990.

Robin Williams believes in the ability of humankind to create resolution for its problems. In the Magical Blend interview he says “the one positive thing is that there is, somewhere in the back of man’s subconscious, an incredible ability to transform.”

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For more information or to join the The National Alliance to End Homelessness write: 1518 K street, N.W. Suite 206, Washington, D.C. 20005 or call 202-638-1526. For more information on Comic Relief write: 2049 Century Park East, Suite 4250, Los Angeles, CA 90067 or call 213-201-9317. To make a pledge to Comic Relief call 800-528-1000.

 

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