Dito Montiel, known for his work with Bill Murray in Riff Raff and films featuring Robert Downey Jr., reflects on his experience directing Robin Williams in the 2014 movie Boulevard. Filmed in Nashville, this production marked Williams’ final completed performance, and Montiel recalls a poignant late-night moment that revealed the actor’s relentless passion and vulnerability. This Robin Williams final film memory offers a unique glimpse into how deeply the star cared about every aspect of his work.
Williams, whose career spanned decades, was celebrated for his versatility in roles ranging from the Oscar-winning spot in Good Will Hunting to iconic parts in Dead Poets Society, Mrs. Doubtfire, Aladdin, and Jumanji. His ability to blend humor with heartfelt drama made him a beloved figure in Hollywood.
Williams’ Commitment to Perfecting Each Scene
Montiel shared in an exclusive interview with EntertainmentNow that despite Williams’ fame and numerous accolades, he never settled for less than his best. Instead of relying on his reputation, Williams pushed himself to find the right emotional truth in each scene. Montiel said,
I loved working with Robin Williams. That maybe is a combination of both, you know what I mean? Like I just loved working with him so much and I was so proud of the film we made,
reflecting the strong connection he felt when collaborating with the late actor. He added,
Robin Williams is one of the few people, famous people that I don’t think there’s a person that would not love him. Like you go into a supermarket and they’re like, oh my God. Every generation has a different Robin Williams they fell in love with.
During one particular night of filming in East Nashville, Williams struggled to connect with a scene—his frustration was so strong he asked Montiel for a walk to help him process his feelings. Montiel remembered,
Robin was not feeling like he was getting a scene, you know? And we had broke for lunch and he was so freaked out. He was coming up to me, he’s like, I’m not getting it. I’m not getting it. Like, can we take a walk? Can we take a walk? And I’m like, yeah,
Walking through quiet neighborhood streets, they spent an hour discussing how to enhance the scene, highlighting how deeply Williams cared about his craft even at the end of his career. Montiel described the experience as almost an out of body experience, realizing the significance of coaching such a towering figure in entertainment history.
How Williams Viewed the Filmmaking Journey
This moment crystallized for Montiel the extraordinary dedication Williams maintained despite his immense success.
I was thinking, I can’t believe he cares so much. Like this guy has won everything you could win in life,
Montiel commented.
And he was just on about this one scene. ‘What am I—how am I going to get it? How am I going to get it?’ And of course I was too. But it was like a strange out of body moment where I thought, how incredible, how nice, or generous, I don’t know what the word is.
Later that night, Williams delivered a performance that satisfied them both, leaving Montiel with a lasting impression of the actor’s commitment. Montiel shared how Williams described filmmaking metaphorically:
That’s probably the best analogy of this business, you know? He would say to me, it’s kind of like a circus light, you know, like we all get together and for like three months, they’re really up in each other. Every little thing we’re talking about, everything emotional, what hurts, what—you know what I mean? Like we’re trying to tap into everything and then we put out this little thing and then we hope to run into each other in six years at another circus somewhere or at passing circuses. And then sometimes you don’t, you know? So I kind of look at it that way. So it’s just an accumulation of proud and heartbroken moments. That’s life, right? That’s just the way it goes. And with art, I guess it’s kind of like that too.
Where to View Robin Williams’ Final Movie
The film Boulevard is accessible for streaming free on platforms such as Plex and Tubi. Viewers can also rent or purchase it on digital services including Fandango at Home and Google Play Movies, allowing audiences to experience Williams’ last full performance firsthand.
