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Before leading his students to noble pursuits and seize the day in "Dead Poets Society" Robin Williams appeared in a small film named "Seize the Day" whose inspiration is totally different from the other film; the inspiration here is deeper, sometimes invisible to the eyes of a regular viewer but a regular viewer won't be watching any of those films even if they're Williams fans.

Based on the great novel written by Saul Bellow, Seize the Day" follows Tommy Wilhelm (Williams) a failed actor, defeated salesman, out of luck, out of job, who left his wife and children and now needs to pay for their alimony; he tries to find a way for his life with a new girlfriend (Glenne Headly) who wants something concrete with this guy, more than just promises that everything will be fine. On his way of trying to get some help he'll try two options: working closely with a successful doctor (Jerry Stiller) who teaches all about stock market and how to make money in risky business or ask to his estranged and repressive father (Joseph Wiseman) for money, love and understanding which is something very hard to get with this man, since he almost rejects his son simply because he didn't followed his advice of going to medicine school and end up getting underemployed and underpaid. But with all this drama, sadness and failures Tommy still has the compassion of crying for a stranger during a funeral, or as some might say, seize the day.

The movie progresses with a story about the importance of money versus human feelings in an animalistic society that believes in the power of an object (money) instead of deeper and positive feelings like love and respect; people simply don't care about what they cannot see. They don't help each other unless money is involved. But, hey, at the end of the day we can all sit down, breathe and think about our lives and think: there's worst problems in the world so here's a chance to smile and enjoy the things to come, carpe diem! The film and the book work with that idea but they diverge in a few things.

Bellow is not much of an easy writer to read but the book is his most accessible; the film knows how to translate his story and environment despite its looks of an B movie with an extremely low budget, but what the film doesn't seem to capture its the essence of the characters, often neglected in some low acting from the cast reduced to shouting scenes, or moments when we couldn't understand what they were saying and they were too different from the way they were written in the book, something that would be appealing in the film version because they were dramatic enough and very believable while in the film sometimes they were comical and a little bit hysterical.

It is a very good film, has its good moments, presented a relevant story even today and there's some good acting from few members of the cast (Jerry Stiller surprised me big time, this is his best role ever). I guess this was a way of Robin Williams showing his dramatic skills for the first time, a film which almost no one saw except the producers from "Good Morning Vietnam" who really saw a natural talent coming from his performance in "Seize the Day" and decided to take a shot, and the rest is history. His performance went from moving and interesting to mildly bad. You can see and feel his desperation but there were times when it seemed he was going to make us laugh when we didn't needed, but I guess this was a script problem that treated some of the dramatic moments as a comedy; rare moments, nothing to ruin the film. But his last scene, in a different perspective from what Bellow made in the book, was incredible, with one of the most ambiguous crying scenes I've ever seen. That's the moment he realizes everything and we keep thinking: what's the most important value in our lives? Money? Love? Or we don't have values because we're animals that need to do everything possible to survive in a cruel world? Why is it so difficult to be understood? Don't wait for answers about all that, just seize the day and watch this film. 7/10.

Like a whirlpool, this downward spiral of a movie has many redeeming qualities, but anything the slightest bit upbeat would not be among them. Robin Williams and Jerry Stiller carry the burden of taking what could have been a real turnoff of a film, and making it at least enlightening. "Seize the Day" is all about relationships, most of which are so flawed, and beyond saving, that hopelessness gradually smothers whatever hope you might have had for a better outcome. The 50s look, script, and acting are very good. I say this, if you go in expecting great 50s atmosphere, fine screenplay, and believable characters, you will not be disappointed. - MERK

I accidentally found this movie, and it was pretty good. The movie reminds me of Rquiem for a Dream, as it's a story of a man that his life totally colapses in peaces.

The movie is just depressing, and it does it's job pretty well. However, the movie is a slow one. Do not expect a fast pasing movie, this one is pretty slow, but it's good anyway. If you want see a good Man's life completely get shatered by his father, ex-wife, and a scammer. You got yourself a movie that really shows it all.

This man had his dream of being an actor it failed. Now he has the dream of being with his children, when his wife took everything from him, and just cares for him for his money, it fails as well. I did not watch this movie with subs on my language so it was a bit hard to understand the speaking completely, but i have understand the movie, and it's a really good one.

Acting was really good. Everyone, but mostlyRobin Williams does his job very well. Sometimes the story gets a bit repetitive and slow, but it wont kill off the movie. This movie is like the old-school version of Requiem for a Dream, and both of these films are really good.

SEIZE THE DAY (1986) (MADE FOR TV) **** Robin Williams, Jerry Stiller, Glenne Headly, Tony Roberts, Joseph Wiseman, William Hickey. Williams delivers the best performance of his career in this little-seen but genuinely excellent film as Tommy Wilhelm, a loser on a continuous downward spiral, who desperately grasps at straws and for his father's unwelcomed love. Heartbreaking yet powerful Saul Bellow short-storyesque feel with one of the most realistic nervous breakdown ever captured on film. A must see for quality acting and directing.

Saw this on American Playhouse years ago. A very powerful performance by Robin Williams. A slice in the life of a man on the brink of desperation, a life long midnight of the soul. There is no resolution because there is not supposed to be a resolution. I don't necessarily recommend seeking it out, but if given a chance to see it please do so.

I would consider myself a legitimate Robin Williams fanboy, I adored the man and considered him one of the all time greats whether straight role or comedy. He holds the record of the largest number of movies I rate THAT highly but he has done some stinkers as well.

I was late to the party with Seize The Day, I'd never even heard of it but seeing it's cast and reading its premise I was excited.

Williams once again puts in a strong performance and that simply cannot be disputed but the film plods along at an odd pace and never seems to actually go anywhere. They say every story needs a beginning a middle and an end but Seize The Day feels like a 93 minute middle and nothing else.

The film reminds me a The Pursuit Of Happiness (2016) in that you are witnessing a man going through a bad period of his life and you the viewer rally behind him hoping for him to turn things around. Difference is PoH feels complete, like a whole package while STD (Very unfortunate acronym) simply doesn't offer that and instead depressed me to my very core.

OK, so we usually expect Robin Williams to launch into zany diatribes. If you're expecting that with "Seize the Day", you will get royally shocked. This movie is not a comedy in any way, shape, or form. He plays a Jewish guy in 1950s New York whose life is totally falling apart. He's divorced and losing his worldly possessions, he's developing road rage, and his father (Jerry Stiller) gives him no love.

Does that sound like a downer? Well, it should. This is a VERY depressing movie. It hits you like a kick in the gut. I've never read the novel on which this was based, but if the movie is this depressing, then I shudder to think how the novel must be.

Now don't get me wrong. I do recommend this movie. I am just reminding you that it's downer. You have been warned. Also starring Glenne Headly and Joseph Wiseman.

Robin Williams stars in another version of Death of a Salesman. A shorter and more entertaining version, Williams stars as the struggling salesman who can not get by. The world around him and the people in it are against him. At the age of 40, it seems like he is still a teenager as all his friends from the past and the elders in the city treat him like he is still a child. Set in the city in the 1950's, the production value of this movie is terrific. From the old style automobiles to the wardrobe, one of the movie's highlights is the set value. Along with Williams, Jerry Stiller is a surprise hit as the weird sidekick / backstabber in this comical supporting role. The movie tries to end on a funny note but ends up too sad to explain. Instead of at a grave site, Seize the Day ends at a funeral service. As equal as Death of a Salesman, the plot is the same. The opening of the movie has the look of an after school special with the cheaply credits. Don't be fooled by this. This is a good movie to see. Williams and Stiller are great.

Before Robin Williams extolled the adage, "Seize the day" in Dead Poet's Society, he starred in an obscure TV movie with the same title. These two movies are not connected at all. This may not be Williams' worst movie, but it's definitely one that got barely any attention. Williams' plays Tommy Wilhelm, a down on his luck former actor and salesman who gets fired from his job, kicked out of the house by his wife, estranged from his children and must face his father in NYC to seek help.

Aside from the broad range of acting skills Williams' displays here, he can be very difficult to watch. The personal crisis, day to day failures and misfortunes he endures can test our movie watching patience. Williams had a penchant for playing characters, who in the midst of their desperation, could bring humor to the role and get us cheering for him. But this is not funny at all. There's no humor to be discerned. We just see a desperate fellow and a series of his failed attempts to get a break in life. His father is a stern and unloving old doctor who shuns Tommy's pleas for help, and consequently, criticizes and demoralizes Tommy for every suggestion Tommy makes. Tommy's only friend in this movie is played by a very sleazy and gruesome Jerry Stiller, who comes off as a sincere friend trying to help, but only betrays and cons Tommy out of his money. This comes at a time when Tommy is most vulnerable, desperate and in need of a break. This film is too depressing that it's almost comical to watch in that we can't believe this guy can be so unlucky. The story plays out like some sob story a drunk would tell you in a bar. There's no joy to be derived from it. This is pure drama. There aren't any funny bits. Saul Bellow, an unsuccessful writer, wrote this screenplay. It's obvious why he never did anything noteworthy. The film has some technical goofs: Sound loops and dubbing get inserted and don't match the action. There are a couple awkward jump cuts and lighting issues that look poorly constructed. This story takes place in the late 1950's, but we see some 1980's Models and makes of cars in the background.

It's very hard to find information on this movie online. Apparently, critics ignored it. It's a movie with a rather dire outlook on life. We just witness a hapless loser get duped, shunned, rejected and screwed at every turn. The problem here is that we don't arrive at any conclusion as to why he arrives in this crisis. Is he stupid? Have poor judgment? Is he just surrounded by Assholes? Perhaps it's all the above.

I remember this movie because I took a junior college course entitled literature and film. One of the books was Saul Bellow's novel, Seize the Day. I don't remember much about the story but I remember the film. It's set in New York City about a poor man played to perfection by the one and only Robin Williams. It's not a laughing matter with him in the starring role as the Jewish salesman. The final scene leaves more questions than answers. I remember the film was faithful to the author's version. After all, Saul Bellow is a Nobel Prize winner for literature. Robin's performance is no laughing matter because his character can never catch a break in New York City. You just realize that he is one of thousands who are more or less suffering from society's neglect. In the end, society can be hell after all.

Even among Robin Williams' sizable filmography, this was a title that I hadn't heard of until a few days ago. Unlike most of his films, this one was made for TV, although he still gives it his all in what could be one of his most personal performances (after the fact).

Based on a novel by Saul Bellow, Williams plays Tommy Wilhelm, a recently out-of-work furniture salesman who moves to New York in hopes that he will become successful. Further complicating his problems is a wife (separated, not divorced) and two kids that he has to support, and a hard father that he desperately wants to connect with. Robin Williams fires on full cylinders here, turning in a performance filled with anger, pain, desperation, and sadness. All he wants is to make enough to live, but he is beset at every turn with dismissal, judgment and even deception. Deception comes in the form of Mr. Tamkin (Jerry Stiller), a so-called "doctor" who gets Tommy into the world of stock trading. I could go on about the plot, but that's really more than enough to know going in.

Instead of a straightforward plot, this film more than anything serves as an acting showcase for Williams dramatic acting talents. He imbues his character with such emotional fragility, that it tugs on the heartstrings when his world finally comes to pieces. Other than Williams, Stiller also gives a great performance as a fair weather friend and scam artist. The actor who plays Williams' father is also quite good. In general, the cast acts out the story well, with the exception of Williams' mistress Olive, who seemed rather flimsy and bland.

Being that this was made for TV, the cinematography and camera-work isn't too spectacular, but it is serviceable. The editing was also a little jarring in places, and certain scenes could have used better transitions. Still, given the age and source (VOD, but probably sourced from a VHS), it looked fine. Overall, I would consider this an underrated gem, mostly because I don't think a lot of people are familiar with it. Still, despite Williams' best efforts, the story wasn't too emotionally involving for me. I always felt like I was on the periphery, watching some terrific acting to be sure, but never quite investing in the story like I would have hoped. Maybe that's because everything is hopelessly stacked against the protagonist, who knows? But for those who haven't seen it yet and are in the mood for something by Robin Williams, it's definitely worth a rental.

Apparently it's possible to shoot an entire film out of focus most of the time.

Just a sad waste of resources, outdoor scenes with period cars a wasted, useless expense. Whatever good performances some characters gave is destroyed by the horrible photography, pointless plot which moves forward like a boring book written for an advance expenses paycheck, no tension, no development, no breakthroughs.

Just a big nothingburger worse than a disappointment. It feels like they were forced to make this movie and rushed it through as quickly and thoughtlessly as possible.

This film is a match for Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. A very tightly controlled drama with richly vivid characters and the casting is excellent. Robin Willimas has never done anything better and without all of that comedy schtick that he is so famous for. Joseph Wiseman is an absolute monster and that 'hotel' they live in might as well be hell. It is even depicted as hell with those scenes in the steam room/spa with all those walking corpses wondering around. I read the novel this was based on nearly thirty years ago, and my feeling then as now, seeing the film, is that there is no resolution. Wilkie has no exit from his situation. One thing for sure, he needs to get away from those people (his girlfriend seems to be in love w/him, regardless of the money, so that's something). I give this a very strong recommendation.

Tommy Adler (Robin Williams) has been a go getter salesman at the company works for a decade. But when he finds out he has to halve it with his supervisor's kid he goes berserk and gets fired. Leaving his girlfriend behind in Massachusetts he heads for Gotham in hopes of getting a job, checking in on his kids and confronting his stern tight fisted old man (Joseph Wiseman) for some cash. While there he comes under the influence of Dr. Tamkin (Jerry Stiller), a con artist that promises him a quick killing in the market. Meanwhile the old man berates, the sons avoid and the ex-wife pressures for financial support.

Seize the Day is a dark depressing study of man whose life is spiraling out of control. From his early erratic driving to the frantic pushing and shoving climax, Adler remains in a state of frenzy as friends and family abandon and his options shrink. Director Fielder Cook's stark direction is sober and to the point. Populating his cast with cold, joyless characters sympathy comes at a premium making even some decent comedy relief hard to enjoy while Tommy self deconstructs.

The daring and off beat casting of film funnyman Robin Williams pays off in spades in what I believe is the most powerful of his career. It's an incredibly challenging role that many fine dramatic actors might be able to pull off but I feel few could apply the unique combination of self pity and rage he displays here with such incessantly agitated humiliation.

Wiseman as the intimidating old man and Stiller as the unctuous motormouth offer strong back-up while a borscht belt crowd of actors and extras fill out the hotel dad lives in and the local stock exchange to add to a very convincing 1957 look. An unentertaining intensely told story and a must for Williams fans.

Review: Although this movie seemed very cheaply made, you can't fault the performance by Robin Williams who is an unemployed actor trying to get some money together to pay his alimony to his ex-wife. After getting terrible investment advice from a friend and also getting unhelpful advice from his dad, he ends up totally stressed out because he's worried that he won't be able to see his kids if he doesn't get the money together. The storyline is pretty average but Robin Williams made the movie emotional and very believable. The grainy camera work was really poor and the film did look extremely dated, but it's still a watchable for this day and age. Average!

Round-Up: This is another look at how versatile Robin Williams acting style really was. He isn't cracking any funny jokes throughout the movie and he really does show the intensity of the whole situation with his character, especially near the end of the movie. Jerry Stiller, Ben Stiller's dad, was funny in the movie and the chemistry between both characters really did work. It's not in the same category as the top class movies from Robin Williams, but it's good to see how he has grown as a actor from watching his earlier movies. There really isn't any other actor that has his range.

I recommend this movie to people who are into there deep dramas about an out-of-work actor who invests his money to pay his alimony. 4/10

I like Robin Williams, but even he can't save this bit of kaka from Saul Bellow. There is a reason Saul Bellow never made it in Hollywood, and this type of writing is a pretty good indication why. Several veteran actors try to help out the lame plot of a knucklehead son of a successful doctor who never takes his father's good advice. The only good acting and humor in the film does not come from Williams, but from Jerry Stiller, a funny and talented actor. Joseph Wiseman also provides other good acting in the film. This is not one of Williams' better roles; he overacts and does not succeed in becoming a sympathetic protagonist. Add this the the relentlessly depressing writing of Bellow, and you get a relentlessly depressing film. Don't bother wasting your time.

This is an obscure little film that is probably Williams' best dramatic role--at least on par with the troubled psychiatrist in "Good Will Hunting". He plays a man victimized by his life--everything that can go wrong does go wrong. Williams is painful to watch in this role, but proves that his dramatic talent knows no bounds. Absolutely compelling; a film I am not likely to forget. Why this sleeper is so underrated and obscure I will never know. If you can get your hands on it, do so!

The fact it was made for tv does show with the film quality but the quality of acting makes up for this. A great performance from Robin Williams also the other actors seem to be lifted by his inspirational acting. No pretty actors in this just strong characters.

I have to say that Robin Williams has come a long way regarding his acting. This is an early work and one that probably had folks confused since he was best known as the manic comic. But this Saul Bellow story of dispair and humor would have been considerably more depressing (good or bad) with, perhaps, Dustin Hoffman in the lead. Being 1986 and for TV, this was quite a groundbreaker. Don't get me wrong, I liked it -- I just couldn't help but wonder what a re-make would be today with our current abilities (and obsessions) at making rage and dispair truly palpable. There was a bit too much self-awareness on the part of the director/writer at making sure there was comic relief where none was needed......

8 out of 10. An unrecognized gem. His acting is excellent, better than most all other actors. He is particularly gifted in his drama and dramedy (drama/comedy) skills. He is specific, vulnerable, and challenges the very audience who watches him. This film (and his others) deserve greater recognition and he should be cast in more meaty roles. And more movies. And then win all the awards... Was the title "Seize the Day" was an unknowing sign of things to come? Maybe. Who could have foretold of his future excellence in the dramatic flick "Dead Poets' Society"? For those who remember, in that film, he taught the boys the importance of living. He repeated Carpe Diem, Carpe Diem, which is Latin for Seize the Day.

The acting was very good, but I found that I was even more impressed by how the scenes were set - to me the settings convey as much of the meaning as the dialog. Towards the end when Robin Williams visits his father in the steam room, it has the look of a mausoleum and the people there appear to be more ghosts than men. To me the story is not totally depressing although in parts it hits close to home. I see it as a social commentary and as such it perhaps has some hope of waking up people. So although our "hero's" life is depressing the film has a message that might wake up and change some real life people - for me therefore the movie plot is not a downer. I have not read Saul Bellow's book but I suspect, from what I know of his writings, that this movie captures well the sense of what he wrote.