Ethan Hawke was just a teenager when he filmed Dead Poets Society, yet he sensed that Robin Williams, who brought John Keating to life with his signature energy, was navigating real struggles behind the scenes. In a recent CBS Sunday Morning interview, Hawke reflected on Williams's performance and the lasting impact of the 1989 classic, acknowledging that Williams's power and charisma came at a price. Hawke described how he recognized the complexity of Williams's emotional life, even as the film delivered its uplifting message about thinking differently and seizing the day. On set, Williams's magnetic presence helped shape the film's mood and tone, and Hawke recalled that the same intensity that inspired students could also reveal personal challenges. This insight aligns with a broader conversation about how extraordinary talent often carries hidden emotional weight, a theme that fans of Dead Poets Society and Williams alike continue to explore. During the interview, Hawke was asked whether he can watch Dead Poets Society today, years after its release and Williams's death in 2014. He spoke with reverence about the movie and the emotional life Williams inhabited, offering a rare glimpse into the mentor-student dynamic that defined the film and influenced Hawke's own approach to acting. For readers and cinephiles seeking a deeper understanding of Dead Poets Society, Hawke's reflections illuminate the human side of a film that remains a landmark in American cinema. The discussion underscores how Robin Williams's charisma and emotional depth shaped not only the character of Keating but also the careers of those who worked with him, including a young Ethan Hawke who recognized the costs and complexities behind such power.