In 1989, Hawke made his breakthrough appearance in Peter Weir's "Dead Poets Society", playing one of the students taught by Robin Williams as a charismatic English teacher. The "Variety" reviewer noted "Hawke, as the painfully shy Todd, gives a haunting performance." The film received considerable acclaim, winning the BAFTA Award for Best Film and an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. With revenue of $235 million worldwide, it remains Hawke's most commercially successful movie to date. Hawke later described the opportunities he was offered as a result of the film's success as critical to his decision to continue acting: