Mrs. Doubtfire

Well so far on my blog a couple of actors/actresses have made multiple appearances. Today, another will join this list. None other than legendary comic Robin Williams, who starred in a movie that I actually referenced in my review of Jumanji. It's a personal favourite of mine, and another moment for Williams to make us laugh out loud, and then tug at our heart strings. You all know it, you all love it, now lets talk about it: Mrs. Doubtfire.

Released in 1993 under the direction of Chris Columbus (Home Alone, The Help), and starring Williams alongside Sally Field, the movie revolves around a man who loses custody of his children following his divorce, and utilizes unconventional methods in order to spend more time with them. Filled with all the warmth, charm and humour you would expect from a Williams films, it's a movie I just never get tired of, so let's see what it has to offer.

The movie opens with Daniel Hillard (Williams), a talented but temperamental voice actor, quitting his job, as he has the tendency to do. Having nothing to do for the rest of the day, he picks up his children Lydia, Chris and Natalie from school. Daniel adores his children, and they reciprocate. As it is Chris' birthday, he decides to thrown a wild birthday party at their house, much to the chagrin of his wife Miranda (Field), who abruptly ends it.

Tired with Daniel's antics, and his apparent inability to take anything seriously, she decides she wants a divorce. Having a residence and a fruitful job, custody of the children is granted to Miranda, with Daniel being granted supervised visits once a week.

Unlike most movie characters unsatisfied with a decision made in court, Daniel does not obtain a gun and go on a revenge killing spree. Instead, he disguises himself as a woman named, you guessed it, 'Mrs. Doubtfire'. Miranda is looking for a housekeeper to take care of the children while she is at work, and Daniel applies for the job under the guise of a long-in-the-tooth Scottish nanny. Impressed with 'her' credentials and experience, Doubtfire is hired on the spot, and Daniel is able to spend time with his kids, albeit in a bulky woman's suit.

The comical possibilities this situation presents are plentiful, and the movie does not disappoint when it comes to it's joke delivery. I laugh myself stupid no matter how many times I see them. The side characters, including Robert Prosky as Daniel's boss and Pierce Brosnan as Stu, Miranda's new love interest, all play their parts well, and aren't just throw-away performances. The love Daniels exhibits for his children is not only authentic, but is the driving force behind the movie. We always believe that his methods, while unorthodox, are all part of his attempt to be with those he is closest to. It's a great family film, one of the best. I've seen it a hundred times, and I know I'll see it a hundred more.