The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014) Review: Ranking Robin Williams’ Frantic Misfire
Is The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014) a good movie? No, The Angriest Man in Brooklyn is a poorly written, frantic 2014 comedy. Wasting a talented cast including Robin Williams, the film lacks any narrative buildup, dropping it to the absolute bottom tier of our ultimate movie ranking and review.
The Premise: What is The Angriest Man in Brooklyn About?
Henry Altmann (Robin Williams) is a cantankerous man who is told by his doctor (Mila Kunis) that he has only 90 minutes to live. Henry embarks on a chaotic journey across Brooklyn to set his affairs in order, reconnect with his estranged family, and confront his own mortality before his time is up.
What Works: The Cast (In Theory)
The film managed to secure an incredible cast, including Robin Williams, Mila Kunis, Peter Dinklage, and James Earl Jones. Unfortunately, none of them are utilized well.
What Doesn't Work: Zero Anticipation
In animation, "anticipation" prepares the audience for an action so it feels believable. This movie has absolutely zero anticipation; things just happen. The inciting incident is maddening: the doctor gives him 90 minutes to live not based on science, but because she impulsively glances at a cooking magazine. Henry believes it just enough to start the plot, but constantly states he doesn't believe it, completely undercutting the ticking-clock tension.
The film also actively sabotages its actors. Mila Kunis is completely miscast and never feels like a medical professional. James Earl Jones, famous for his iconic voice, is inexplicably given a debilitating stutter just to slow the plot down. Throw in a Louis C.K. cameo that has aged like milk, and the entire movie falls flat.
The Robin Williams Ranking & Performance Score
Robin Williams Performance Score:RETIRED Out of respect for Robin's battle with undiagnosed Lewy Body Dementia, we have officially retired our performance score rating.
Good Mourning Robin Ranking: In our ranking, it sits below Old Dogs. It is technically better than August Rush, but only because it doesn't feature 20 minutes of aggressive guitar slapping.
FAQ: The Angriest Man in Brooklyn (2014) Movie
What is The Angriest Man in Brooklyn about? An angry man is falsely told he only has 90 minutes to live, sending him on a frantic dash across New York to make amends with his family.
Who starred in The Angriest Man in Brooklyn? Robin Williams starred alongside Mila Kunis, Peter Dinklage, and James Earl Jones.
Why is The Angriest Man in Brooklyn considered a bad movie? Our review heavily criticizes the film for its nonsensical premise, lack of narrative buildup, and poor utilization of its talented cast.
