Mrs. Doubtfire


Mrs. Doubtfire

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Chris Columbus
Produced by Marsha Graces Williams
Robin Williams
Mark Radcliffe
Written by Anne Fine (novel)
Randi Mayem Singer (screenplay)
Leslie Dixon (screenplay)
(uncredited) Robin Williams
Starring Robin Williams
Sally Field
Lisa Jakub
Matthew Lawrence
Mara Wilson
Pierce Brosnan
Harvey Fierstein
Music by Howard Shore
Cinematography Donald McAlpine, ASC
Editing by Katie Morrisey
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date(s) November 24, 1993
Running time 125 mins.
Country United States
Language English
Budget $25,000,000
Gross revenue $441,286,195

Mrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy-drama film starring Robin Williams and based on the novel Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. It was directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup.[1] The film was placed 67th in the American Film Institute's 100 Years, 100 Laughs: America's Funniest Movies (see the 100 Years Series), a list of the 100 funniest movies of the 20th century, and was also rated #40 on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies of All Time. The original music score was composed by Howard Shore.

Contents

Plot

Daniel Hillard (Robin Williams) is an unemployed and outcasted voice actor, and a good father, loved by his three children, but not that good a husband, engaging in eccentric stunts like hiring a petting zoo and allowing children to run wild through the house for his son Chris's 12th birthday party. Daniel's wife Miranda (Sally Field), an interior designer, has reached the end of her patience with their marriage and seeks a divorce because of the two of them not having anything in common anymore, and Miranda believes him to be an ineffective husband and father. Since Daniel has no steady source of income, Miranda gets primary custody of their three children, Chris (Matthew Lawrence), 15-year-old Lydia (Lisa Jakub) and 5-year-old Natalie (Mara Wilson). Daniel has visitation rights limited to Saturday evenings. The news is crushing to Daniel, who adores his children.

When Daniel learns that Miranda intends to place an advertisement for a housekeeper, he requests to pick them up from school and spend time with them. A hostile Miranda, however, refuses. Daniel therefore sabotages the ad that Miranda wrote, changing the numbers on the copy so he could be the only one who could call. He calls Miranda several times, posing as a series of increasingly disturbing applicants, and eventually presents the perfect applicant: a 60-year-old woman with a Scottish accent with years of experience, giving the name "Mrs. Doubtfire" (he comes up with that name in a snap decision, upon seeing a newspaper article with the heading: POLICE DOUBT FIRE WAS ACCIDENTAL). Miranda is impressed enough to have "Mrs. Doubtfire" come over to the house to interview for the position. Daniel recruits his brother Frank (Harvey Fierstein), a makeup artist, to create the Mrs. Doubtfire disguise.

Initially the children are hostile toward Mrs Doubtfire, particularly Lydia, as Mrs. Doubtfire lays down the law and forces the children to get down to business with their schoolwork. However, Mrs Doubtfire wins them over after preparing a luxurious meal for Miranda upon her return home, delighting her and earning the trust of the children. As Mrs. Doubtfire, Daniel is able to see his children every day, giving him the opportunity to be the firm father figure that he was not before, and the change begins to work as the children respond to Mrs. Doubtfire's methods, and Miranda is able to heal her rocky relationship with the children and also with Daniel, who is now learning to be a better person and homemaker than he was before because of his alter ego. When Daniel is not at work, he is investing his time in learning skills such as gourmet cooking and turning his "bachelor pad"-type apartment into a nice residence.

Daniel's situation is not a perfect one, however, as he encounters several oddball problems, including igniting his fake breasts on a stove when cooking dinner, almost having his cover blown by his caseworker (Anne Haney) at his apartment, and attempting to stop his ex-wife's relationship with Stuart Dunmayer (Pierce Brosnan), her new boyfriend, who is not particularly fond of Daniel (and who has no idea that Daniel is disguised as Mrs. Doubtfire). When his caseworker Mrs. Sellnar comes over to have her first of two days a week meetings, Daniel is just getting back as Mrs. Doubtfire, so he/she says she is his sister. When they get into the apartment, Daniel as Mrs. Doubtfire runs into his/her bedroom and gets out of the Mrs. Doubtfire costume while talking to Mrs. Sellnar in his male voice. Daniel once again asks Miranda if she will allow him to take care of their children after school, but she politely declines, saying that she could never get rid of Mrs. Doubtfire, as she has made their lives so much better.

Eventually, Daniel's cover is blown when Chris walks in on him in the bathroom (as Daniel had forgotten to lock the bathroom door), seeing him dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire standing at the toilet like a man. He explains to Lydia and Chris what he has done, and tells them that they cannot tell Miranda (as she will most likely report him to the authorities and have him banned from seeing them for good) or Natalie, as she is too young to understand and would possibly tell her mother. Both children are happy to have their father back in their lives and agree to help maintain the pretense.

Meanwhile, at the TV station where Daniel works as a shipping clerk, his job situation is about to improve. The CEO of the television studio, Jonathan Lundy (Robert Prosky), sees him clowning with toy dinosaurs on the set of a particularly boring children's program and is impressed enough to schedule a dinner meeting to hear his ideas. Trouble brews when Daniel learns that Stuart plans to celebrate Miranda's birthday by taking the family out to the same restaurant at the same time, and that everyone expects Mrs. Doubtfire to join them.

At the restaurant, Daniel attempts to rotate back and forth between Lundy and his family, using a restroom to change back and forth from himself to Mrs. Doubtfire. Attempting to humiliate Stu at the dinner, Daniel dumps cayenne pepper on his order of jambalaya, an ingredient that Stuart is allergic to. He also becomes increasingly intoxicated after consuming several double scotches with Mr. Lundy, and eventually he forgets to remove his Mrs. Doubtfire costume before returning to Mr. Lundy's table. He manages to cover up his awkward oversight by claiming to a perplexed Mr. Lundy that "Mrs. Doubtfire" is merely his idea for a new TV persona. Lundy is once again impressed, and promises to develop the character into a possible television program. Stu chokes on the shrimp Daniel peppered. Daniel, in guilt and realization of his mistake as he never intended for Stuart to choke, administers the Heimlich maneuver and loses his mask in the process, thereby blowing his cover. Miranda is furious and horrified to find out that her housekeeper and her ex-husband are one and the same person. She then grabs the children and storms out.

Returning to court because of Daniel violating his limited visiting days-policy, Miranda receives full custody of the children. When Daniel makes an impassioned plea that he has done everything the judge ordered him to do (have a clean apartment and become employed) and that the motive was solely the love of his children, the judge is disturbed by his behavior and the Mrs. Doubtfire stunt, and cites the fact that since Daniel has a gift for voice acting, he was attempting a performance to appeal to the emotions of the court. Daniel's visitation rights are even more restricted, as his visits are now strictly supervised and he is ordered to go to therapy. The ruling shocks and upsets Miranda as she realizes how much Daniel loves their children, and how far he would go just to spend even the smallest amount of time with them.

Her sadness worsens upon realizing that her children, and she herself, are all deeply unhappy without Mrs. Doubtfire, and therefore Daniel. Daniel, meanwhile, becomes the star of Lundy's new television program, Aunt Euphegenia's House, where he plays Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire surrounded by puppets. Daniel places the show in the top rating for that timeslot and demands for the show come in from networks in big cities, looking possible that it will be aired nationwide.

Miranda pays Daniel a visit on the set one day and after congratulating him on the success of his show, explains the situation to him, and decides to let him reassume Mrs. Doubtfire's old role as the children's after-school caretaker, but this time out of character, and wearing men's clothes. Miranda also takes care of the courts, so that Daniel's visits are no longer limited to supervised visits on Saturday, and that the caseworker isn't needed. In the final moments of the movie, Daniel picks the kids up to spend an afternoon with them, while Miranda, smiling, watches a Aunt Euphegenia's House rerun episode, where Mrs. Doubtfire answers a letter from another child of divorce asking for advice, and says that no matter what type of living arrangement such children may have, love will maintain the bond of family.

Cast

  • Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire-an unemployed actor who loves his three children very much and feels very sad after he only gets to see them every Saturday after his divorce from his wife Miranda. When he learns that Miranda is putting an ad in the paper for a housekeeper to watch the kids he has himself turned into the perfect nanny Mrs. Doubtfire. After becoming a successful nanny and eventually landing the role as Mrs. Doubtfire on the tv show Aunt Euphegenia's House Daniel and Miranda agree to share custody of their kids.
  • Sally Field as Miranda Hillard-Daniel's ex wife and mother of Lydia, Christopher, and Natalie who is overwelmed with her work and her marriage which in the beginning ends. After getting a divorce from Daniel she gets soul custody of the kids and when she hires a housekeeper Mrs. Doubtfire she becomes very happy with her not knowing that it's her ex in disguise. When she finds out that it's her ex in disguise she becomes furious and is granted full custoudy of the kids but when shes Daniel as Mrs. Doubtfire on the tv show Aunt Euphegenia's House she agrees to share custody of the kids with Daniel and in the end watches an episode of Aunt Euphegenia's House where Mrs. Doubtfire explains to children about divorce families and how love will continue to hold the family bond. This might hint that Miranda may consider giving her marriage to Daniel a second chance.
  • Lisa Jakub as Lydia "Lydie" Hillard-Oldest daughter and child of Daniel and Miranda. She loves her dad very much and is sad when she only gets to see him on Saturdays. When Mrs. Doubtfire comes she at first denies her but later learns that she's a nice woman. She and her brother Chris are the first to know that Mrs. Doubtfire is and keeps it a secret until it is revealed at a restaurant and her mom is gained full custody of her and her brother and sister. When her dad hosts a show Aunt Euphegenia's House as Mrs. Doubtfire she watches it along with her brother and sister and in the end she is reunited with her dad after her mom agrees shere the custody of the kids with Daniel.
  • Matthew Lawrence as Christopher "Chris" Hillard-Middle child and only son of Daniel and Miranda. He likes to play soccer, watch science shows, and hanging out with his dad and is disappointed when he only gets to see his dad on Saturdays after his parents divorce. When his mom hires a housekeeper Mrs. Doubtfire he sorta takes a like for her and tells her she could play for the San Francisco 49ners because of her height. He and his sister Lydia are the first to find out that Mrs. Doubtfire is their dad and keeps it a secret until it is revealed at a restaurant and Chris's mom gets full custody of him and his sisters. When his dad hosts a show Aunt Euphegenia's House as Mrs. Doubtfire he watches it with his sister and in the end is reunited with his father after his mom agrees to share custody of the kids with Daniel.
  • Mara Wilson as Natalie "Nattie" Hillard-Daniel and Miranda's youngest child and second daughter. She loves her father dearly and is saddened when she only gets to see him on Saturdays after her parents divorce. When her mother hires a housekeeper Mrs. Doubtfire she takes a like to her right away not knowing that it's her father in disguise. When Natalie finds out that it's her father in a restaurant she is saddened and her mother is granted full custody of her and her brother and sister. When her father hosts a show Aunt Euphegenia's House as Mrs. Doubtfire she watches it with her brother and sister and in the end is reunited with her father after her mom agrees to share custody of the kids with Daniel.
  • Pierce Brosnan as Stuart "Stu" Dunmayer-Miranda's co-worker who later becomes her boyfriend after she divorces Daniel. He loves the kids but has a strong dislike for Daniel calling him a jerk. When Stu takes Miranda and the kids and Mrs. Doubtfire out to eat for Miranda's birthday Mrs. Doubtfire sneaks into the kitchen and puts cayenne pepper on Stu's food, which Stu is allergic to. When Stu eats his food he begins to choke, Mrs. Doubtfire manages to help by doing the heimlich maneuver but the disguise falls off and Mrs. Doubtfire turns out to be Daniel. Miranda and the kids leave along with Stu who kindly shakes Daniel's hand after this. Stu isn't seen after this so it is unknown if he and Miranda continued their relationship after this or broke up.
  • Harvey Fierstein as Uncle Frank Hillard-Daniel's brother who is a gay makeup artist. He and his partner both help make Daniel into the perfect housekeeper Mrs. Doubtfire. In the end he is mentioned as an upcoming guest on the next Aunt Euphegenia's House episode.
  • Scott Capurro as "Aunt" Jack Hillard-Frank's partner and Daniel's brother-in-law. He helps Frank turn Daniel into Mrs. Doubtfire the perfect housekeeper.
  • Robert Prosky as Jonathan Lundy
  • Polly Holliday as Gloria Chaney
  • Anne Haney as Mrs. Sellner
  • William Newman as Mr. Sprinkles the Postman / Boring Dinosaur Show Host
  • Martin Mull as Miranda's Partner At Work
  • Todd Williams as Todd the Bartender (cameo)
  • Jimmy Cullen as Thug (cameo)
  • Sydney Walker as Bus Driver (cameo)
  • Joe Bellan as TV Boss
  • Terrence McGovern as ADR Directer Lou "Louis" (cameo)
  • Karen Kahn as 1st Female Employee (cameo)
  • Eva Gholson as 2nd Female Employee (cameo)
  • James Cunningham as Male Employee (cameo)
  • Ralph Peduto as Cop (cameo)
  • Scott Beach as Judge (cameo)
  • Juliette Marshall as Miranda's Attorney (cameo)
  • Drew Letchworth as Daniel's Attorney (cameo)
  • Jessica Myerson as Miranda's Mother (cameo)
  • Sharon Lockwood as Alice
  • Kenneth Loo as 1st Staring Boy (cameo)
  • Jeff Loo as 2nd Staring Boy (cameo)
  • Betsy Monroe as Stunning Woman (cameo)
  • Joseph Narducci as Delivery Boy (cameo)
  • James S. Cranna as Ron "Ronald" (cameo)
  • John V. Chilcott as "Elbow" (cameo)

Soundtrack

The score was written by Howard Shore. The song Robin Williams sings at the cartoon voiceover in the beginning is "Largo al factotum". Other songs featured often were chosen referencing the identity of Mrs. Doubtfire. These songs include:

Additionally, these songs were featured:

Locations

Chicago was the studio's first choice for filming. However, two new television shows (E.R. and Chicago Hope) had a lease with the city around the same time period, and they eventually went with San Francisco. Various locations in San Francisco were used for filming. Parts were shot at KTVU studios, in Oakland. The street signs for the intersection near the "Painted Lady" home, Steiner and Broadway, were visible on-screen. The exact address, 2640 Steiner Street 37°47′38.07″N 122°26′10.78″W / 37.7939083°N 122.4363278°W / 37.7939083; -122.4363278, became a tourist attraction for a while after the film's release[2]. Though the film's home exteriors were impressive, its interiors were all shot on the 20th Century Fox lot. Robin Williams' divorced father character 'Daniel', lived upstairs from Danilo Bakery at 516 Green St., and his children attended a school at Filbert and Taylor.

The uproarious restaurant scene was filmed in an actual upscale restaurant, Bridges Restaurant & Bar, in downtown Danville, California; Bridges is still in operation, but its interior has been dramatically renovated and no longer resembles the interior seen in the movie. During this scene at Bridges, John Chilcott was washing dishes.

Awards and honors

Academy Awards

  • 1993
    • Best Makeup (Greg Cannom, Ve Neill, Yolanda Toussieng)

Golden Globe Awards

BAFTA Awards

American Film Institute recognition

Critical response

At the time of its release, several critics compared Mrs. Doubtfire unfavorably with the movie "Tootsie" or even "Some Like It Hot." Even critics who viewed the movie favorably noted its similarity to the Dustin Hoffman and Sydney Pollack film.[3].

Mrs. Doubtfire has a "fresh" rating of 64% on Rotten Tomatoes.[4]

References in popular culture

In the third Aladdin film, the Genie (voiced by Robin Williams) transforms into Mrs. Doubtfire and offers advice to Jasmine, the bride to be.

Sequel

Mrs. Doubtfire 2 was to be a sequel to the 1993 box office hit. Writing began in 2003 by Bonnie Hunt (Cheaper by the Dozen, Cars, Jumanji). Robin Williams was set to return in disguise as an old nanny like in the first movie. Due to problems with the script, re-writing began in early 2006 as Robin Williams was allegedly unhappy with the plot. The film was expected to be released in late 2007, but following further script problems the sequel was declared "scrapped" in mid-2006.

Recently in an interview for Newsday, Williams said the movie's sequel was indefinitely scrapped. Stating his reasons, he said, "The script they had just didn't work."[5]

Apparently, the sequel's story involved Williams as Mrs. Doubtfire moving close to his daughter's college so he could keep an eye on her.

On December 5, 2006, during an interview with BBC Radio 1 by DJ Edith Bowman, Williams said that if it is not going to be done right, then it is not worth doing and that there will not be a sequel with him in it. However, the character might return in some form some day in the future. The interview does not seem to have been recorded but was posted online almost immediately.[5]

Comparisons with book

During the conversion to film, most of the characters were moderated heavily. In the book, all the main characters, apart from Natalie, tend to act in self-interest and expect a large amount of credit whenever they do otherwise. The divorce of Miranda and Daniel in the book is also much more bitter.

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107614/awards
  2. ^ Shot on This Site, William A. Gordon, Citadel, 1995, p.39.
  3. ^ http://www.movietome.com/movie/287025/mrs-doubtfire/reviews/critic.html?tag=fs_nav;reviews&om_act=convert&om_clk=fstabs
  4. ^ http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/mrs_doubtfire/?name_order=asc
  5. ^ a b Brunton, Richard (2006-12-05). "Williams says no Mrs Doubtfire 2". Filmstalker. http://www.filmstalker.co.uk/archives/2006/12/williams_says_no_mrs_doubtfire.html. Retrieved 2007-06-02. 

See also

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to: Mrs. Doubtfire


Awards and achievements
Preceded by
The Player		 Golden Globe: Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
1993		 Succeeded by
The Lion King
v • d • e
Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy

Arthur (1981) · Tootsie (1982) · Yentl (1983) · Romancing the Stone (1984) · Prizzi's Honor (1985) · Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) · Hope and Glory (1987) · Working Girl (1988) · Driving Miss Daisy (1989) · Green Card (1990) · Beauty and the Beast (1991) · The Player (1992) · Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) · The Lion King (1994) · Babe (1995) · Evita (1996) · As Good as It Gets (1997) · Shakespeare in Love (1998) · Toy Story 2 (1999) · Almost Famous (2000)

Complete List · (1951–1960) · (1961–1980) · (1981–2000) · (2001–present)
v • d • e
Films directed by Chris Columbus
1980s
1990s
Home Alone (1990) • Only the Lonely (1991) • Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) • Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) • Nine Months (1995) • Stepmom (1998) • Bicentennial Man (1999)
2000s
2010s
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