Flubber (1997) Review

Title: Flubber
Year: 1997
Director: Les Mayfield
Country: US
Language: English

Robin Williams is one of the greatest comedic actors to hit the Silver Screen. I'm very glad my childhood was filled with his films, as his infectious unrelenting energy would radiate through the screen and make a huge impression on me. He was even able to make mediocre pictures seem bigger than life. Despite this enigmatic energy, I was 6 years old and I found Flubber (1997) to be a bore. 

A remake of The Absent Minded Professor (1961), Flubber is about a man trying to save his marriage and business by creating an invention that will change the world. He accidentally creates an unstable rubber-like substance called Flubber.

Flubber would make a great short film, maybe 30 minutes at most. The movie has an intriguing gimmick, "what amazing things can we see this weird invention do?", but once we've satisfied out curiosity there really isn't any more substance to this picture. Robin Williams isn't especially zany; infact his forgetfullness lacks charm & makes the guy look like an ass. Who forgets about their own wedding 3x in a row!?

The two leads don't have any chemistry. Like in Mrs.Doubtfire Williams' onscreen wife comes across more like a motherly figure and their "love" just comes across weird. Despite having such an engaging persona, Williams himself doesn't bring anything special to this role. He is an empty vessel & any actor could have played the role with more enthusiasm. 

Flubber was terribly boring when I was 6 years old & its far worse now. What a "flub" of a movie. 

0 Stars