MRS DOUBTFIRE
US, 1993, 125 minutes, Colour.
Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan, Harvey Feirstein, Mara Wilson, Robert Prosky.
Directed by Chris Columbus.
Mrs Doubtfire offers a tour de force performance by Robin Williams. In the opening credits he is seen as dubbing voices for animated films - something at which he is very good - Aladdin, Fern Gully. He loses his job, he loses his wife and family in divorce and is not allowed custody. When his wife advertises for a nanny, with the help of his make-up artist brother, he auditions for the job and gets it.
The film is a variation on the Tootsie theme. However, Williams portrays a 60-year-old British nanny. A mixture of Mary Poppins - and Robin Williams under the make-up - Mrs Doubtfire is an entertaining creation. It gives the opportunity for Williams, even though somewhat laid-back, to an enormous range of voices and mimicry (even of Barbra Streisand as Funny Girl). At beginning and end he has two rather frantic sequences where he has to change from Mrs Doubtfire to himself and back again. A lot of the one-liners are very humorous.
Sally Field has the straight role as his wife. Pierce Brosnan is mocked as the wealthy potential new husband. The film has a great deal of sentiment, touching on the sentimental, especially in Williams' last speech about marriage and divorce. The film indicates, realistically for the 20th century, that husbands and wives are often better apart. On this basis, they can respect each other and care for their children.
The film is directed by Chris Columbus, former writer of such films as Gremlins and Young Sherlock Holmes, as well as director of Adventures in Babysitting, Only the Lonely, two Home Alone films and Stepmom.
1.Portrait of an American family of the '90s, parenting? The plausibility of the basic concept of the father disguising himself as a nanny? Humour?
2.The tour de force by Robin Williams: the initial voice-overs, the impersonations, his being disguised as the nanny? Serious as the parent? As Mrs Doubtfire: the phone interviews, at work in the house, caring for the children, especially after they recognise him? His relationship with his wife? The antagonism towards Stewart? The encounters with the social worker? With the television producer? The comedy of quick change with the social worker, in the restaurant? His literally being unmasked? The television show and Mrs Doubtfire as the host?
3.The plausibility of the plot, the children identifying their father, Miranda not recognising him? The issues, sentiment and values?
4.The character of Daniel: his voice-overs, antagonism towards employers, his stance against smoking, losing his jobs, his irresponsibility, the kids and the lavish party, rap-dancing and the mess in the house, coping with Miranda and her angers? The experience of the divorce, of the court? His love for his children? His leaving home? The reaction of the judge? Going to the social worker, getting his apartment - in a mess? The kids and their visits, Miranda's arguing with him? The discussion about the nanny?
5.The brainwave about becoming the nanny, changing the phone number, the range of unsuitable phone calls he impersonated, the interview and his taking a tough line (like Mary Poppins)? The visit of the social worker and his pretending to be Daniel's sister? Coping with her and the changes of make-up, losing the hair, the mask and its being run over? His relationship with Frank, his brother and helping him with the disguise? Jack? At home with the kids, being severe with them? The toilet and their discovering the truth? Their keeping the secret? His discussions with Miranda and her opening up and telling him the truth? The snide attacks on Stewart - especially at the swimming pool?
6.Going to work, his being bossed over, his carrying the materials? Watching the old-style television show? Discussing with the chief? Their talk and his criticism of the program? The appointment at the restaurant, being late, the phone call, drinking the bourbon? The discussions about his career? Having to go back to the family? His mixing things up, the bourbons and his being exposed?
7.Miranda, her skill at her work, the relationship with Stewart? Coming home, her anger with Daniel, cleaning up the house? Love for the children? Initiating the divorce, her hard stance in the court? Her rules about the visits? Going to his apartment and criticising? The advertising for the nanny, the exasperating phone calls, impressed by Mrs Doubtfire? The change in the house, the meals, cleaning up? (And the children having to clean up the house?) Going for the swim - and the mishaps, especially with Stewart? The decision to go to the hotel, the children? Mrs Doubtfire and her delays? The revelation, Miranda's anger, taking him to court and taking the severest line?
8.The portrait of the kids, boy and girls, at home, their work, love for their father, the severity of their mother? The party? Having to clean up? The antagonism of the oldest girl? Her change of heart? The discovery of the truth? Collaborating with their father?
9.Stewart and his wealth, the formal relationship with Miranda, getting her to do the job, his visits and courting her, the clashes with Daniel, with Mrs Doubtfire, at the swimming pool, the gifts, at the restaurant? The hot meal and his being the target of Daniel (as well as of the audience)?
10.The television studio, the boss, his surliness towards Daniel? The old-fashioned television program for the kids, patronising them? The head of the studio, his interest in Daniel's ideas, going to the restaurant, his being unmasked? Approving the Mrs Doubtfire program?
11.The expose, the court and the harshness, trying to talk with Miranda, the plea and explaining what had happened with Mrs Doubtfire? Miranda's relenting - but their not coming together again? Mrs Doubtfire and the television program - and the sentiment of the long speech about the nature of families?
12.The themes of families in the '90s, family issues, divorce and separation, second marriages, the possibility of parents separating, yet caring for their children? The blend of comedy and sentiment?
