Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

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.

Director:

Chris Columbus

Writers:

Anne Fine (novel), Randi Mayem Singer (screenplay)

Stars:

Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan

Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Doubtfire
Sally Field	...	Miranda Hillard
Pierce Brosnan	...	Stu
Harvey Fierstein	...	Frank
Polly Holliday	...	Gloria
Lisa Jakub	...	Lydia Hillard
Matthew Lawrence	...	Chris Hillard
Mara Wilson	...	Natalie Hillard
Robert Prosky	...	Mr. Lundy
Anne Haney	...	Mrs. Sellner
Scott Capurro	...	Jack
Sydney Walker	...	Bus Driver
Joe Bellan	...	TV Boss
Martin Mull	...	Justin Gregory
Karen Kahn	...	Female Employee #1

Storyline

Eccentric actor Daniel Hillard is an amusing and caring father. But after a disastrous birthday party for his son, Daniel's wife Miranda draws the line and files a divorce. He can see his three children only once a week which doesn't sit well with him. Daniel also holds a job at a TV studio as a shipping clerk under the recommendation of his liason. But when Miranda puts out an ad for a housekeeper, Daniel takes it upon himself to make a disguise as a Scottish lady named Mrs Doubtfire. And Daniel must also deal with Miranda's new boyfriend Stu Dunemyer.

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Plot Keywords:

profanity | birthday | birthday party | judge | male actor playing a female character | 

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Taglines:

She will rock your world.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual references

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 November 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Papá por siempre

Filming Locations:

Claremont Resort and Spa - 41 Tunnel Road, Berkeley, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$219,200,000

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$441,286,195

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Blue Wolf Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

There are several versions of the film because of the sheer amount of material Robin Williams improvised, so it was difficult to edit the film to something resembling the script. Chris Columbus likened it to editing a documentary; these other versions were unworkable tonally because they were all over the place.

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Goofs

The reason Daniel did not lie to Miranda to get out of the Bridges dinner was because his youngest daughter begged him (as Mrs. Doubtfire) to go, and he couldn't face disappointing her. There is an entire scene devoted to demonstrating that, and it's the reason he agreed to go in the first place.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Daniel: [as Grunge the Cat] Salutations, snack.

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Connections

Features The Dick Van Dyke Show: Coast to Coast Big Mouth (1965)

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Soundtracks

Walk Like A Man
Written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio
Performed by The Four Seasons
Courtesy oof The Four Seasons Partnership
By arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Wonderful buxom British nanny hilariously captures your heart

For me, this was the funniest movie I ever saw. Not normally a huge fan of comedy, I was just about rolling in the theatre aisles during this gem. Robin Williams is brilliant in his 'dual role' as the rejected husband, Daniel, and the buxom British nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire.

This movie tells the story of a bitter separation, when Miranda insists on a divorce from her immature, goofy husband. Daniel, denied custody and given only limited visitation, concocts a female nanny character for himself in order to gain daily access to his three children. The kids grow to love and depend on their unusual but very concerned and efficient new nanny, Mrs. Doubtfire, who really gets the household running extremely smoothly. Of course meanwhile Miranda has a new love interest named Stu.

Williams' portrayal of Mrs. Doubtfire is hilarious in every way, shape, and form. The wig, stockings, dress, make up...it's all too amusing, watching Daniel transform for the part. Wait till you see Mrs. Doubtfire cooking! The most insanely funny scene is at a restaurant where Daniel / Mrs. Doubtfire must quickly be in two places at the same time, so he / she is forced to alternate between personae at lightning speed, sometimes forgetting which one he / she is at any given moment. I won't give away the plot, but I nigh expired from laughing.

Sally Field charmingly plays Daniel's now separated wife, Miranda, and Pierce Brosnan is suitably unsympathetic as her new love interest, Stu. We cheer for Daniel through his assorted antics as he tries to shoo away this romantic competitor for his ex wife's affections and especially, this new male threatening to usurp his role as father to his kids.

Desite being a comedy, this film does on the serious side reveal the devastating effects of divorce on children's lives and also particularly on the noncustodial parent. Daniel is distraught as he misses seeing his kids every day. Furthermore, the entrance of a new love interest naturally adds to the general strife.

Where did Mrs. Doubtfire get her unusual name? Does she live on or fizzle out at movie's end? Will Daniel and Miranda get back together, or will Stu prevail? I won't divulge any spoilers, but I guarantee you'll fall in love with this lovable large nanny and wish you could have her babysit your own kids. Mrs. Doubtfire will certainly live on in your heart.