Plot: Leslie Zevo (Robin Williams) is the son of an eccentric toy maker. While Leslie was closest to his father and works as a toymaker himself, his Military General Uncle, Leland Zevo (Michael Gambon), inherits the toy making factory.
When the General begins making war toys behind Leslie’s back, and recruiting children to pilot his army, Leslie, his sister Alsatia (Joan Cusack) and his girlfriend Gwen (Robin Wright) band together to put an end to the General’s tyranny.

Director: Barry Levinson

Writing Credits: Valerie Curtin & Barry Levinson

Cast: Robin Williams, Michael Gambon, Joan Cusack, Robin Wright, LL Cool J, Donald O’Connor, Debi Mazar & Jamie Foxx

Music by: Hans Zimmer & Trevor Horn

Genre: Fantasy / Comedy

Budget: $30.000.000

Filming Dates: 25 February 1992 – 26 June 1992

Release Date: 18 December 1992

Box Office USA: $23,278,931 | Widest release: 1,294 theaters

MPAA Rating: Rated PG-13 for some language and sensuality

Runtime: 121 minutes

Robin Wright Screen Time: 30 minutes, 38 seconds.

Robin Wright as Gwen Tyler, a Comic escape from Drama

Gwen Tyler is a free-spirited, imaginative, and unconventional young woman with a natural sense of curiosity and wonder.

She has an independent mind and an easy warmth that makes her perfectly at home in the film’s eccentric world.

What makes Gwen particularly interesting in Robin Wright’s filmography is that ‘Toys’ gives her the opportunity to explore a much lighter and more openly comedic side of her acting.

Coming after several dramatic and emotionally intense roles, the film allows Wright to be more relaxed, playful, spontaneous and occasionally delightfully absurd.

Much of the humor comes from her interactions with Robin Williams. Their scenes have an eccentric, surreal and offbeat quality and Wright responds to Williams’ larger-than-life comic energy with a wonderfully natural sense of amusement and understated humor.

Rather than trying to match his exuberance, she becomes the perfect counterpoint to it.

Beneath the comedy, Gwen has a genuine emotional sensitivity and quiet confidence.

Robin Wright brings a lightness and spontaneity to the role, using her expressions, reactions and subtle comic timing to create a character who feels effortless rather than exaggerated.

Overall, Gwen Tyler is a memorable departure from Wright’s earlier dramatic roles, allowing her to explore a comic, whimsical and surreal register while retaining the warmth and emotional intelligence that are characteristic of her performances.

Trivia

Robin Wright earned a nomination as Best Supporting Actress from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA.

‘Toys’ had two Oscar nominations: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration & Best Costume Design.’

‘Toys’ is Jamie Foxx’s film debut.