Mrs. Doubtfire (1993); Director: Chris Columbus; based on Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine; rated PG-13 Screenplay: Randi Mayem Singer, Leslie Dixon; Cinematography: Donald McAlpine; Editing: Raja Gosnell; Music: Howard Shore Starring: Robin Williams (Daniel Hillard/Mrs. Doubtfire), Sally Field (Miranda Hillard), Pierce Brosnan (Stu Dunmeyer), Harvey Fierstein (Frank Hillard), Polly Holliday (Gloria), Lisa Jakub (Lydia Hillard), Mara Wilson (Natalie Hillard), Matthew Lawrence (Chris Hillard), Robert Prosky (Jonathan Lundy), William Newman (Mr. Sprinkles). Plot Summary: After a bitter divorce and limited custody of his children, a loving but irresponsible father disguises himself as an elderly British nanny to spend more time with his kids and ex-wife. He adopts the persona of Mrs. Doubtfire and becomes the children's housekeeper. As he navigates this complicated double life, he endeavors to become a more responsible parent and cope with his ex-wife's handsome new boyfriend.
As Daniel Hillard reaches his decision, he enlists the help of his brother, Frank, who specializes in make-up. His simple ask: "Can you make me a woman?" Through a series of preliminary tests, Frank brings forward the likes of Barbara Streisand, Gloria Swanson and an Jewish nana right out of Fiddler on the Roof. This is vintage Robin Williams using his incredible improvisational skills for laughs. From this early point in the plot, you know we are in for a very different kind of a comedy. Something subtle you might have missed: going with it Director Chris Columbus quickly realized the value in turning comedian Robin Williams loose. At first, they would play the scene as scripted. It was decided to keep the cameras rolling, when Robin would start improvising - he called it playin'. Much of the funniest moments came from the sessions. Such was the instant when Doubtfire's face cream drops into Mrs. Sellner's hot tea. The set lights had melted the cake's icing. Robin made the most of it. Columbus called these moments magical. And he was right. Memorable Quotes: "This guy used to put me to sleep when I was a kid. It's amazing. He has the warmth of a snow pea. He makes Mr. Rogers look like Mick Jagger." - Daniel, speaking of Mr. Sprinkles "Ever wish you could freeze frame a moment in your day, and look at it and say "this is not my life"?"- Daniel Hillard "Oh... as I hold this cold meat, I'm reminded of Winston. God rest his soul." - Mrs. Doubtfire "Daniel? Why in God's name are you dressed like a woman!?" - Jonathan Lundy Dad's Review: made for him Before Jim Carrey, there was Robin Williams. He burst onto TV screens as Mork from Ork in the sitcom Mork and Mindy, which ran from 1978 to 1982. By 1992 he was a veteran actor having conquered both comedy (The Best of Times, Aladdin) and dramatic roles (Dead Poets Society, Awakenings). His stand-up shows were legendary. He was called "a performer of limitless versatility". The whole idea was hatched when Mr. William's wife at the time read an English children's story called Alias Madam Doubtfire by Anne Fine. His wife immediately thought that this was an incredible treasure trove of comedy for her animated, talented husband. Yet, the idea only would work on film if the gender switch was believable. The films producer, Marsha G. Williams, felt confident that Robin had the acting range to pull it off. sally The brilliance with casting Sally Field was that they needed a woman who was out of Daniel Hilliard's league. She is beautiful at any age, and certainly has the acting resume to pull off any role. She also can go from sweet to angry in a flash. She is this film's steadiness. Her job is to take care of her kids and she does not need instability, which her ex-husband personified. She is the one who keep things together.
Where this film needed to go was never-before attempted on film. His new Doubtfire persona had to fool his own ex-wife and children, so not only did the make-up have to be perfect, but the character had to be someone else completely. This feat was handled by Greg Cannom and his team (including Ve Neill of TV's Face Off fame). After months of experimentation, the team got the daily plastic appliance application down to four hours. Ah, the price actors pay to bring us the now famous Mrs. Doubtfire. dinner at bridges restaurant and bar There are comedy sequences that are forever imprinted on my memory: Chaplin's fork-roll table dance routine in The Gold Rush (1925), the autonomous collective in Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), Kristin Wiig's final emotional collapse in Bridesmaids (2011) - masterpieces all. The film's comedic climax features our cross-dressing hero, Daniel, embroiled in a problem. He has secured a hard-to-get meeting with his station CEO as Daniel. He also, as Mrs. Doubtfire, can't back out of a family to dinner for Miranda's birthday. Luckily, both are scheduled for 7 pm at the upscale Bridges Restaurant. Great! This can work. What could possibly go wrong? He is going to have to pull off the old switcher-roo. As this scene enfolds, we almost think he's gonna make it work. Three double-bourbons have another outcome in mind. It is sheer comic genius that will forever have me howling with laughter. the film's ending The original story ended with Daniel and Miranda resolving their differences and reuniting. For a children's book, that is a fine resolution, but I much prefer the filmmaker's choice to wrap it up like most real world divorces. The couple doesn't get back together. At worst they hate each other, at best they are able to be civil around the children. This also allowed the film to nicely sum up everything into one point. Regardless of how the parents feel, none of it is the children's fault. Many children of divorce carry deep wounds of responsibility, wondering if the split was caused by their misbehavior or choosing a side. As Mrs. Doubtfire, on her TV show, answers those questions contained in a the letter from a child, I am bawling. Because, it let me know that everything OK, no matter what kind of family you have. wrap-up Great comedy films are harder to make than dramas. For some reason, critics don't take comedy films serious, which frankly is bull. This film is a kind of deliberate perfect storm, where the right elements all came together to produce a whole greater than its seperate parts. This is the quintessential definition of a Dramedy. It features one of the great comedians of our time. It makes you laugh and cry and think. La Fine On to No. 93... Corpses Refuse to Don Checkered Patterns
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Defining Moment:
identity by latex
make-up!