When I saw 1993’s “Mrs. Doubtfire” being added to Netflix, I immediately knew this was going to be a movie repeat. Although it’s been over 33 years since its release, this timeless classic has already received lots of praise and vaulted to the Netflix Top 10 chart soon after its release.
Directed by Chris Columbus and starring Robin Williams and Sally Field, “Mrs. Doubtfire” is about a man, Daniel Hillard, who is having problems with his marriage after a party gone wrong. His wife, Miranda, wants a divorce and kicks Daniel out of the house. Daniel loses custody of his kids and is forced to straighten up his life to see them. But how?
After seeing an ad his wife posted for a housekeeper, he decides to dress up as an old woman to get the job. He goes under the alias “Mrs. Doubtfire” after seeing a newspaper headline about a fire. After getting the job, Daniel keeps up the act and becomes a better, more responsible person and, all around good dad.
As with any good comedy plot, complications arise. Daniel’s boss invites him to a dinner at the same time he gets invited to a dinner in his Mrs. Doubtfire persona, and has to switch between identities, making for some hilarious scenes. How long will Daniel be able to keep up the act before he’s caught? Will he get to finally be with his beloved kids? You’ll have to watch to find out.
This movie is a great representation of how to combine comedy with a family-friendly plot. Even though Daniel has not been the most responsible father because he always makes everything a joke, he will do anything for his kids, including donning the most elaborate disguise. Actor Robin Williams, who committed suicide in 2014, reportedly spent 4-5 hours in the makeup chair and wore prosthetics on his face and a fat suit every day to play Mrs. Doubtfire. That can’t have been easy, but his comedic timing and accent as Mrs. Doubtfire are what make his role so much fun to watch.
I also like how this movie shows the rigors involved with overcoming family separation. Divorce was not as big in the 90’s as it is now, but it still does a fabulous job of showing the struggle of a divorced dad, plus the impact of divorce on kids. It’s interesting to see the family slowly rebuild their relationship, even if it’s not in the same way.
IMDB gives this movie as a rating of 7.1/10 with 313,000 ratings showing a mostly positive response. “A movie that shows off Robin Williams’ strengths as both a comedy star and a serious actor,” one review says. Personally, I give this movie an 8/10 for its comedic timing and overall family message. This movie is a certified classic and will forever live on in Robin Williams’ legacy.
