Mrs. Doubtfire-No Seriously, I Have A Good Reason For Duct Taping My...
There are films that you know are nonsense. They’re just plain silly but you still have to like them. The premise of Mrs. Doubtfire is completely absurd. A divorced dad, Daniel Hillard played by Robin Williams, wants to spend more time with his children. He is a out of work actor and has a brother, played by Harvey Fierstein brilliantly, who is a make-up artist. Daniel decides to create a female character to get the job of nanny to his own kids and the hilarity ensures. Okay, its stupid, but its also escapist fun that adults will get a kick out of and children will enjoy as well. This is a relatively safe family film, some adult issues but nothing too scary.
The directing by Chris Columbus is typical in that he does not try to make the film something it is not. Columbus lets the script and its situational comedy jokes play out via some really sparkling performances by Williams. The acting, by Williams, Fierstein and Sally Field all help make the script realize its full potential.
So how does a script, which is essentially about a man in drag become a massive box-office hit in 1993? The obvious answer is because of all the additional packaging. Clearly Daniel is not a cross dresser, his marriage might have not been over otherwise, who knows maybe she was into that kind of thing, its always the quite type. Daniel is only putting on a disguise for a secondary goal, to be near his kids. In this regards the film is, of course, much like Tootsie, where the cross dressing tool (I am not referring to Williams, but to using cross-dressing as a tool) serves a secondary purpose and is not a lifestyle choice. Part of what makes the script so brilliant is that there is a warm fuzzy reason for the cross dressing and thus all the comedic situational comedy is okay for Middle America consumption. Simultaneously the film does a great job making you care about most of the characters and Daniel in particular.
On paper this pitch may of sounded like a complete disaster and I am sure many executives would have very much doubted that the film would have become one of the most successful in history, pulling in over $350 million dollars. It is the combination of the smart script, loads of humor and William’s performance that creates the magic on this one. Here the formula is simple, a funny script no matter how absurd and a great acting performance and performances can go a long way to creating a successful film.
It is also funny to see a film like Mrs. Doubtfire now and realize that there was a time when one didn’t feel like vomiting at the sight of Robin Williams. Oh yeah, he has warn out his welcome alright as a comedic actor, but when Robin Williams lets go of his act and stops acting like a speed freak with a sugar rush and attention deficient disorder, as he has done in some of his more recent works, he allows us to remember that he indeed has talent. And thank god we don’t get too much detail on taping things down...if you know what I mean.
Story B+ (Mrs. Doubtfire is an absurb set up but the film is very funny at points and you will find yourself laughing whether you want to or not.)
Acting B+
Visuals B
Originality/Innovation B+ (At least it’s a twist on the whole time honored Hollywood vehicle of “I have to dress up like a woman because,” script that gets made every few years.)
Enjoyability Grade B+
Home Theater/HD Factor B-
Overall Grade B+
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