Although overly sappy in places and probably 20 minutes too long, this Robin Williams-in-drag vehicle provides the comic a slick surface for doing his shtick, within a story possessing broad family appeal.
Mrs. Doubtfire
She makes dinner. She does windows. She reads bedtime stories. She's a blessing... in disguise.
1993 · 2h 5m · PG-13
Comedy, Drama, Family
Directed by
Chris Columbus
Overview
Loving but irresponsible dad Daniel Hillard, estranged from his exasperated spouse, is crushed by a court order allowing only weekly visits with his kids. When Daniel learns his ex needs a housekeeper, he gets the job -- disguised as a British nanny. Soon he becomes not only his children's best pal but the kind of parent he should have been from the start.
Director and cast
- Chris Columbus Director
- Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Doubtfire
- Sally Field as Miranda Hillard
- Pierce Brosnan as Stuart Dunmeyer
- Lisa Jakub as Lydia Hillard
- Harvey Fierstein as Uncle Frank Hillard
- Matthew Lawrence as Chris Hillard
- Polly Holliday as Gloria Chaney
- Mara Wilson as Natalie Hillard
- Robert Prosky Cast
- Anne Haney Cast
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
I've rarely laughed so much at a movie I generally disliked.
Sit-com stuff, then, with laboured farcical interludes, and a mushy post-feminist sensibility. Funny notwithstanding.
The dress, the mask and Mrs. Doubtfire's gentility are inherently limiting, but nothing holds Mr. Williams back when he's on a roll.
In terms of plot, the film is rather feeble, but sometimes there's more to a movie than story, and this is one of those rare occasions when all the other elements pull together and lift the production.
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