Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writers (WGA):

Anne Fine (novel)
Randi Mayem Singer (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

24 November 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Family

Tagline:

She will rock your world.

Plot:

After a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend secret time with his children held in custody by his Ex.

Plot Keywords:

Custody | Divorce | Party | Nanny | Disguise

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 8 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Robin Williams	...	Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire
Sally Field	...	Miranda Hillard
Pierce Brosnan	...	Stuart 'Stu' Dunmeyer
Harvey Fierstein	...	Uncle Frank Hillard
Polly Holliday	...	Gloria Chaney
Lisa Jakub	...	Lydia 'Lydie' Hillard
Matthew Lawrence	...	Christopher 'Chris' Hillard
Mara Wilson	...	Natalie 'Nattie' Hillard
Robert Prosky	...	Jonathan Lundy
Anne Haney	...	Mrs. Sellner - the Social Worker
Scott Capurro	...	Aunt Jack Hillard
Sydney Walker	...	Bus Driver
Martin Mull	...	Justin Gregory
Terence McGovern	...	A.D.R. Director Lou
Karen Kahn	...	Employee

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sexual references.

Runtime:

125 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Canada:G (Nova Scotia) (original rating) | Canada:PG (Nova Scotia) (re-rating) (1994) | Canada:PG (Manitoba/Ontario) | Iceland:L | Ireland:PG | South Korea:12 | Argentina:Atp | Australia:PG | Brazil:Livre | Chile:TE | Finland:S | France:U | Germany:6 | Norway:10 | Peru:PT | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:PG (cut) | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | UK:12 (original rating) | UK:PG (re-rating) (2003) (uncut)

Filming Locations:

2640 Steiner Street, San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Blue Wolf

Trivia:

In the scene where Mrs. Doubtfire is reading a story, the story she is reading is Stuart Little, and the part she reads is from "Chapter 1: The Drain"

Goofs:

Factual errors: Miranda, a professional decorator, recommends a "17th century grand piano" for Stuart's B&B. The piano is an 18th century invention.

Quotes:

[Trying to get false teeth out of glass]
Mrs. Doubtfire: Carpe dentum. Seize the teeth.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Married with Children: Business Sucks: Part 1 (#9.5)" (1994)

Wonderful buxom British nanny hilariously captures your heart

For me, this was the funniest movie I ever saw. Not normally a huge fan of comedy, I was just about rolling in the theatre aisles during this gem. Robin Williams is brilliant in his 'dual role' as the rejected husband, Daniel, and the buxom British nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire.

This movie tells the story of a bitter separation, when Miranda insists on a divorce from her immature, goofy husband. Daniel, denied custody and given only limited visitation, concocts a female nanny character for himself in order to gain daily access to his three children. The kids grow to love and depend on their unusual but very concerned and efficient new nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire, who really gets the household running extremely smoothly. Of course meanwhile Miranda has a new love interest named Stu.

Williams' portrayal of Mrs. Doubtfire is hilarious in every way, shape, and form. The wig, stockings, dress, make up...it's all too amusing, watching Daniel transform for the part. Wait till you see Mrs. Doubtfire cooking! The most insanely funny scene is at a restaurant where Daniel / Mrs. Doubtfire must quickly be in two places at the same time, so he / she is forced to alternate between personae at lightning speed, sometimes forgetting which one he / she is at any given moment. I won't give away the plot, but I nigh expired from laughing.

Sally Field charmingly plays Daniel's now separated wife, Miranda, and Pierce Brosnan is suitably unsympathetic as her new love interest, Stu. We cheer for Daniel through his assorted antics as he tries to shoo away this romantic competitor for his ex wife's affections and especially, this new male threatening to usurp his role as father to his kids.

Desite being a comedy, this film does on the serious side reveal the devastating effects of divorce on children's lives and also particularly on the noncustodial parent. Daniel is distraught as he misses seeing his kids every day. Furthermore, the entrance of a new love interest naturally adds to the general strife.

Where did Mrs. Doubtfire get her unusual name? Does she live on or fizzle out at movie's end? Will Daniel and Miranda get back together, or will Stu prevail? I won't divulge any spoilers, but I guarantee you'll fall in love with this lovable large nanny and wish you could have her babysit your own kids. Mrs. Doubtfire will certainly live on in your heart.