Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
February 16, 2015 7:17 PM - Subscribe
After a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper to spend time with his children held in custody by his former wife.
"My first day as a woman, and I'm getting hot flashes."
Robin Williams won both a Golden Globe and the American Comedy Award for his turn as Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire. The film also starred Sally Field as his ex-wife Miranda, Pierce Brosnan as Stu, and Lisa Jakub, Matthew Laurence, and Mara Wilson as the three Hillard children.
"I don't do washing, I don't do basements, I don't do dinners, and I don't do reading!"
The film was based on the novel, Madame Doubtfire (U.S. title: Alias Madame Doubtfire ), which made the shortlist in 1987 for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, the Observer Teenage Fiction Prize, and the Whitbread Children's Book Award.
In the book, however, the two older children are immediately aware of the ruse and it is only the youngest child who is fooled by the disguise.
"It was a run-by fruiting."
Critics generally received the movie well, noting that Williams performance mostly overshadowed the problems with the film:
Janet Maslin, New York Times:
The film was directed by Chris Columbus, the writer of Gremlins (1984) and The Goonies (1985). Columbus also directed Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2 (1992), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). He is currently wrapping up Pixels and is credited as the executive producer and writer on the planned (but on hold) reboot of Gremlins.
"I think we'll have to go to the next level: latex. "
The makeup was cutting-edge at the time, and Greg Cannom, Ve Neill, and Yolanda Toussieng received the Academy Award for Best Makeup for their work on the film. The makeup took 3-4 hours to apply each day, and this video gives a behind the scenes look at the process that went into the creation of Mrs. Doubtfire.
"You must be the new maid - Euthanasia Dumbwaiter?"
Bonus: Mrs. Doubtfire Deleted Scenes
Robin Williams was attached to star in Mrs. Doubtfire 2 at the time of his death. The sequel is now likely never to be made. However, there are plans to turn Mrs. Doubtfire into a musical.
"My first day as a woman, and I'm getting hot flashes."
Robin Williams won both a Golden Globe and the American Comedy Award for his turn as Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire. The film also starred Sally Field as his ex-wife Miranda, Pierce Brosnan as Stu, and Lisa Jakub, Matthew Laurence, and Mara Wilson as the three Hillard children.
"I don't do washing, I don't do basements, I don't do dinners, and I don't do reading!"
The film was based on the novel, Madame Doubtfire (U.S. title: Alias Madame Doubtfire ), which made the shortlist in 1987 for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, the Observer Teenage Fiction Prize, and the Whitbread Children's Book Award.
In the book, however, the two older children are immediately aware of the ruse and it is only the youngest child who is fooled by the disguise.
"It was a run-by fruiting."
Critics generally received the movie well, noting that Williams performance mostly overshadowed the problems with the film:
Janet Maslin, New York Times:
Mr. Williams remains this film's main and only real attraction (although Ms. Field tries gamely to generate sitcom-caliber sparks). He is well worth seeing whatever he's wearing, but he's most fun in an anarchic mode, threatening to blow the film's illusions wide open. The dress, the mask and Mrs. Doubtfire's gentility are inherently limiting, but nothing holds Mr. Williams back when he's on a roll.Roger Ebert:
Any review of "Mrs. Doubtfire" must take into account Dustin Hoffman's transvestite comedy, "Tootsie," which remains by far the better film: more believable, more intelligent and funnier. "Tootsie" grew out of real wit and insight; "Mrs. Doubtfire" has the values and depth of a sitcom.David Ansen, Newsweek:
Hoffman as an actor was able to successfully play a woman.
Williams, who is also a good actor, seems more to be playing himself playing a woman."
CAN A MOVIE BE BOTH A DELIGHT AND A drag? Yes, if its name is Mrs. Doubtfire. Simply put, I've rarely laughed so much at a movie I generally disliked."Between the hours of 3 PM and 7 PM, I'm in charge. And when I'm in charge, you will follow a schedule. "
The film was directed by Chris Columbus, the writer of Gremlins (1984) and The Goonies (1985). Columbus also directed Home Alone (1990) and Home Alone 2 (1992), Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002). He is currently wrapping up Pixels and is credited as the executive producer and writer on the planned (but on hold) reboot of Gremlins.
"I think we'll have to go to the next level: latex. "
The makeup was cutting-edge at the time, and Greg Cannom, Ve Neill, and Yolanda Toussieng received the Academy Award for Best Makeup for their work on the film. The makeup took 3-4 hours to apply each day, and this video gives a behind the scenes look at the process that went into the creation of Mrs. Doubtfire.
"You must be the new maid - Euthanasia Dumbwaiter?"
Bonus: Mrs. Doubtfire Deleted Scenes
Robin Williams was attached to star in Mrs. Doubtfire 2 at the time of his death. The sequel is now likely never to be made. However, there are plans to turn Mrs. Doubtfire into a musical.
Hah, hardly anyone seems to be aware there even was a book. Which I have read, actually (as a kid). From what I recall Mrs. Doubtfire wasn't a cheerful English old lady, but more of a ah....Carmen Miranda-ish kooky figure.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:10 AM on February 17, 2015
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:10 AM on February 17, 2015
Great post! I was amazed to learn that the movie was based on a book - and one that was shortlisted in the UK for several book awards, so it was somewhat well-known, in the UK at least. I would love to hear from some British Mefites if they remember reading it as a book first.
I wasn't a fan of this movie when it came out - I was too cool for school - but it's kind of grown on me over the years and it has to be one of the most-loved Williams movie of his output. I guess the main thing that I recall is that the makeup involved in transforming Williams was cutting-edge and people were most impressed with it at the time; now it may look a little too rubber-masky, but back then it was like "whoa!"
This movie is also fondly remembered in the San Francisco Bay Area, as the "Mrs. Doubtfire" home is in S.F., and the restaurant scene was filmed in Danville at Bridges Restaurant. Here's a bit more about the filming locations for this movie.
(The KTVU Channel 2 local news station was adjacent to some of the filming for Mrs. Doubtfire and on occasion the newscasters like to talk about seeing behind-the-scenes stuff, and their memories of Robin Williams.)
Oh, and I wanted to drop this link because it uses scenes from this movie very effectively (and is just really well done and obviously affectionate): Robin Williams - "Seize the Day" - Melodysheep.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 8:36 AM on February 17, 2015
I wasn't a fan of this movie when it came out - I was too cool for school - but it's kind of grown on me over the years and it has to be one of the most-loved Williams movie of his output. I guess the main thing that I recall is that the makeup involved in transforming Williams was cutting-edge and people were most impressed with it at the time; now it may look a little too rubber-masky, but back then it was like "whoa!"
This movie is also fondly remembered in the San Francisco Bay Area, as the "Mrs. Doubtfire" home is in S.F., and the restaurant scene was filmed in Danville at Bridges Restaurant. Here's a bit more about the filming locations for this movie.
(The KTVU Channel 2 local news station was adjacent to some of the filming for Mrs. Doubtfire and on occasion the newscasters like to talk about seeing behind-the-scenes stuff, and their memories of Robin Williams.)
Oh, and I wanted to drop this link because it uses scenes from this movie very effectively (and is just really well done and obviously affectionate): Robin Williams - "Seize the Day" - Melodysheep.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 8:36 AM on February 17, 2015
massively Scottish, wasn't she?
posted by runincircles at 8:37 AM on February 17, 2015
posted by runincircles at 8:37 AM on February 17, 2015
The last time I watched Mrs. Doubtfire, two things hit me: First, it's one of the most densely written comedies I think I've ever seen. Like, seemingly every line of dialogue is meant to be a joke. It's exhausting. They're not good jokes, of course, but still require your mind to complete whatever subtle mental processes go into processing jokes. Second, it's shockingly transphobic. Were Mrs. Doubtfire released today, everyone involved in its production would have to issue public apologies.
Anyway, adjusted for inflation, it had a worldwide gross of $722 million dollars.
posted by incomple at 11:15 AM on February 17, 2015
Anyway, adjusted for inflation, it had a worldwide gross of $722 million dollars.
posted by incomple at 11:15 AM on February 17, 2015
Williams, who is also a good actor, seems more to be playing himself playing a
To be fair, this is basically all of his comedic roles.
I love this movie mainly because I love watching Robin Williams. It absolutely has problems--quite apart from the transphobia, the utter lack of chemistry between Stu and Miranda is just terrible.
Thing is, for me, every single problem with the movie is redeemed by this. Maybe it's afterschoolspecialy, but I was a kid of (thankfully) divorced parents, and I'm queer, and it resonates. "But if there's love, dear, those are the ties that bind."
Excuse me the onion fairy has visited.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 1:31 PM on February 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
To be fair, this is basically all of his comedic roles.
I love this movie mainly because I love watching Robin Williams. It absolutely has problems--quite apart from the transphobia, the utter lack of chemistry between Stu and Miranda is just terrible.
Thing is, for me, every single problem with the movie is redeemed by this. Maybe it's afterschoolspecialy, but I was a kid of (thankfully) divorced parents, and I'm queer, and it resonates. "But if there's love, dear, those are the ties that bind."
Excuse me the onion fairy has visited.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 1:31 PM on February 17, 2015 [3 favorites]
I don't think I ever saw the whole thing, but I am still angry, more than 20 years later, that this movie exists.
posted by latkes at 1:34 PM on February 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by latkes at 1:34 PM on February 17, 2015 [1 favorite]
This is a bit of fun: Then + Now: The Cast of ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’
That reminds me, I really enjoy the regal performance by Anne Haney - she's quite memorable as the social worker.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 7:43 PM on February 17, 2015
That reminds me, I really enjoy the regal performance by Anne Haney - she's quite memorable as the social worker.
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 7:43 PM on February 17, 2015
We read the book in year 7 (11/12, first year of secondary school). I remember a couple of things from it.
1)Robin Williams character poses for life drawings and his kids catch him doing it. Much awkwardness ensues
2)There's a bit where, for some reason, a character sings "anything you can do, I can do better". At the time, I often volunteered to read, being a strong reader. I gamely sang the song there. Needless to say, shortly thereafter I was mercilessly mocked by the class bully. It didn't help that I had a strong list. As a result, I have a bit of a grudge against that book. And 11 year old boys. Well, really 11-16 year old boys to be honest.
posted by Cannon Fodder at 1:37 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
1)Robin Williams character poses for life drawings and his kids catch him doing it. Much awkwardness ensues
2)There's a bit where, for some reason, a character sings "anything you can do, I can do better". At the time, I often volunteered to read, being a strong reader. I gamely sang the song there. Needless to say, shortly thereafter I was mercilessly mocked by the class bully. It didn't help that I had a strong list. As a result, I have a bit of a grudge against that book. And 11 year old boys. Well, really 11-16 year old boys to be honest.
posted by Cannon Fodder at 1:37 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
The thing that bugs me on a rewatch (not recently, mind, in the last couple of years), is that (other than the transphobia) the film has this irritating mens rights attitude to custody, where Daniel is presented as a saintly figure who loves his kids and should get to see them whenever he likes. I mean, really, filing for divorce because your husband brought a zoo for his son's birthday has to be the most surreal reason ever presented.
posted by Cannon Fodder at 7:39 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Cannon Fodder at 7:39 AM on February 18, 2015 [3 favorites]
One of the deleted scenes lays it out in better detail--always in and out of work, never helps around the house, and the zoo is just evidence of irresponsibility.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:00 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 8:00 AM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
I've never actually seen Mrs. Doubtfire, but I've watched Chachi 420, a Hindi film with enough similarities to Mrs. Doubtfire to be worth noting here. But if the original doesn't have kung fu action and an adaptation of the Macarena, I think I don't want to know.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 8:49 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by Monsieur Caution at 8:49 PM on February 18, 2015 [1 favorite]
the film has this irritating mens rights attitude to custody
As a kid of divorce being raised by a single mom the scene in the courtroom made my skin crawl. I could never express why exactly but it always felt really wrong to me and I always fast forwarded or changed the channel for that scene.
As a 12/13yo boy I laughed my ass off at everything else. All the sex euphemisms I learned and something about power tools.
posted by M Edward at 10:40 PM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
As a kid of divorce being raised by a single mom the scene in the courtroom made my skin crawl. I could never express why exactly but it always felt really wrong to me and I always fast forwarded or changed the channel for that scene.
As a 12/13yo boy I laughed my ass off at everything else. All the sex euphemisms I learned and something about power tools.
posted by M Edward at 10:40 PM on February 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
I saw this when it came out. I was 8 and I remember finding the politics of it deeply uncomfortable. I have no recollection of what in particular bothered me so much about it. But it was definitely the first time I remember thinking, "I find this movie offensive." I think I didn't like that he thought it was OK to trick the kids' mom and there were a lot of jokes about how humiliating and weird it was to be a woman when you usually are a man, which as a young girl I was like, "Well! Hmph!" I'm sure the transphobia went right over my head.
I figure if it bothered me as a not terribly self-aware 8-year-old who idolized Robin Williams I probably don't need to do a rewatch.
posted by town of cats at 7:55 PM on February 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
I figure if it bothered me as a not terribly self-aware 8-year-old who idolized Robin Williams I probably don't need to do a rewatch.
posted by town of cats at 7:55 PM on February 20, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah thinking about it as an adult divorced mom, if my ex husband decided to pretend he was a woman and try to babysit inside my home I would be calling the cops and fully expecting they put him away for many, many years.
posted by corb at 12:22 PM on February 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by corb at 12:22 PM on February 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Newly posted deleted scenes from the movie, which would have made it less sunny
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 7:59 PM on February 8, 2016
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 7:59 PM on February 8, 2016
Whoa. I'd seen the spelling bee scene before, but not the other one.
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:02 PM on February 8, 2016
posted by feckless fecal fear mongering at 11:02 PM on February 8, 2016
I really loved this movie as a child, and I think it was mostly because my parents had divorced within the previous couple years of the movie's release, and it was very contentious and the custody battle was ongoing (and would be ongoing until I pretty much turned 18). So to have a movie that had a divorced couple actually come to an agreement and end up in a co-parenting situation really touched a nerve with me.
posted by LizBoBiz at 8:53 AM on June 21, 2017
posted by LizBoBiz at 8:53 AM on June 21, 2017
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posted by nubs at 7:21 PM on February 16, 2015 [1 favorite]