Documentary Review: ‘Being Robin’ – the thin line between reality and insanity.

The human mind is such a strange place, and we can never fully understand how it works, especially when it comes to mental health. The lines are almost always blurred, and it’s often hard to distinguish between what is real and what isn’t.

‘Being Robin‘ is a deeply fascinating and unsettling documentary that explores the blurred lines between admiration, obsession, and mental health. Directed by and starring Roger Kabler, the film delves into Kabler’s personal journey where the lines of reality are blurred by delusions, particularly when it comes to his profound appreciation of the late actor and comedian Robin Williams.

This documentary film is not just a tribute to a beloved comedian but an intimate portrayal of how the human mind can be both inspiring and terrifying.

The film introduces us to Roger Kabler early on, laying out his background in entertainment. He started his career as a stand-up comic and impressionist and found early success, even landing a role on a TV show. But things went downhill when the show was cancelled, and Kabler was pulled into the self-destructive lifestyle that Hollywood can sometimes encourage. He recalls a pivotal moment when he had a meltdown in front of a live audience, a moment that made him realize he needed to change or risk losing everything. He admits that “Show biz was always a threat to my sanity, and certainly to my sobriety.”

After retreating from the spotlight, Kabler took up painting in his home state, finding peace in a simpler, quieter life with a partner Alianna. He even began doing commissioned portraits, settling into what seemed like a more stable existence. But then, in 2014 Robin Williams died a moment that deeply affected Kabler, just like it did to millions of fans around the world. For Kabler, however, this loss seemed to have triggered something far more personal and intense.

Kabler, a comedian and actor in his own right, reveals that in the winter of 2014, he began to experience vivid dreams and visions of the late actor and comedian. These encounters became so intense that Kabler felt Williams’ presence within him. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder and delusional disorder, Kabler nonetheless embraced this connection, going so far as to create a live tribute show where he physically and comedically embodied Williams with so much accuracy it became both convincing and almost obsessive. But to him, the portrayal and impressions go beyond imitation and a performance. He believes William’s spirit lives in him.

He takes the act on the road dazzling audiences wherever he could get the chance to but the lines between performance and reality soon become increasingly difficult to distinguish.

Roger Kabler does his best to be creative with this film. Photos, home videos, and performance footage are skilfully integrated and pieced together to form the narrative, blurring the line between documentary and fiction. At times, it feels almost like a scripted feature, with reenactments that make you question what’s real and what’s staged. This unique style mirrors Kabler’s own confusion over his identity, lending the film an eerie, surreal quality. There are moments of humour and quirky beats clearly intended to pay homage to Williams’ comedic genius. But these may not land for everyone, as the deeper narrative of Kabler’s mental health gets more evident in the film.

As the film progresses, we witness the toll this obsession takes on Kabler’s life and relationships. If it’s all an act, why can’t he just turn it off? I kept asking myself this question throughout the film. But that just confirms how little control we often have over our minds, even when we think we do. It reveals more about the complexity of the human psyche and just how fragile our hold on reality can be, especially for creatives.

For many viewers, ‘Being Robin‘ might be a difficult film to watch. Is it a documentation of a man losing his mind, or is it a performance that’s so immersive it even fools the performer?

Either way, For Kabler, the film is not just a tribute to Robin Williams. It is a poignant reflection on mental health and identity. Something we all need to constantly pay serious attention to.

I will score this film 3.5 out of 5 stars.