Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Director: Chris Columbus
Screenplay: Randi Mayem Singer, Leslie Dixon
Cast: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Pierce Brosnan 
Music: Howard Shore
Time: 125 minutes
Bottom-line: Watch the film for Williams’ performance

Another good film in 1993, Mrs. Doubtfire is a funny and romantic drama, starring Robin Williams and Sally Field in the lead roles. Fair warning, this sounds like a children’s film, but thanks to few scenes, it is not. So if you are say, 13 and above, you can enjoy the film. Williams’ performance drives the film, and is supported by the jokes and comic tension all the way. This film was ranked #67 in AFI’s top 100 comedy films of all time.

We have heard of the phrase “a blessing in disguise.” This film portrays exactly that. Daniel Hillard (Williams) is a talented voice artist, who quits his latest job. As he is unable to hold a steady job, his well-earning wife, Miranda Hillard (Field) files for divorce, as he also sets a bad example for their three children: Natalie, Chris and Lydia. So, Daniel starts living in his own house, and finds a small job at a TV station. He gets to see his kids only in the weekends. When Miranda tells him one day, that she is advertising to hire a housekeeper, Daniel makes use of the opportunity. He changes the contact details, and eventually calls Miranda himself for the job. He changes his voice to that of an old British nanny called Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire. Highly impressed by her credentials, Miranda appoints her for the job. However, as Daniel starts going there often, he finds that Miranda is in a relationship with another man, Stuart Dunmire (Brosnan). The rest of the film is how Daniel, as Mrs. Doubtfire, guides his children in the right path, and whether or not he manages to win back Miranda through the disguise of Mrs. Doubtfire.

Robin Williams as Daniel Hillard

Sally Field as Miranda

Williams has done a terrific job in acting, both as Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire. He is known for his vocal work, and he has certainly a great job in that aspect in this film. The beginning of the film, where he is shown giving voices to different cartoon characters; when he showcases his talent in front of the lady at the interview; and later when he calls Miranda while applying for the job… in all these scenes, Williams does well do make all the viewers laugh heartily. His acting toward the end, at the restaurant, when he has to meet both his boss, as Daniel, and celebrate Miranda’s birthday at the same time, as Mrs. Doubtfire, is excellent. Along with Williams, Sally Field has done well as Miranda Hillard. The three children have also acted well.

Brosnan as Stuart

From left: Chris, Lydia, Mrs. Doubtfire, Natalie
and Miranda Hillard

The story is good, but may be far-fetched. You might think it weird that a man would do so much to see his children, including creating a new identity, modify his voice everyday etc. Yet, whether or not a father would actually do that can be answered only by people in similar situations I guess. Anyway, other than the plot, the language is also vulgar at some places in the film, especially in the dialogues of Williams. Had these dialogues and other ‘not-for-children’ lines been reduced, this film could have well been made into a nice family film. But for others, the story is a funny and laughable one, which is boosted by the acting.

Poster of Avvai Shanmugi

Poster of Chachi 420 

This film was remade twice. In 1996, it came in Tamil as Avvai Shanmugi, starring veteran actor Kamal Haasan for the role of Robin Williams. The co-stars were Nagesh, Meena and Gemini Ganesan.  In 1998, it came in Hindi as ‘Chachi 420’ (chachi meaning grandma and Section 420 in the Indian penal code covers offences related to cheating. In common use, it refers to any trickster). This film also starred Kamal Haasan for the role of Williams. The supporting actors were Tabu, Om Puri and Johnny Walker. Both these films were successful among Indian audiences.

To conclude, Chris Columbus’ Mrs. Doubtfire is a fun-filled comic entertainer, but watch out for the use of profane language. Williams has done extremely well to guide the film, and is supported well by Sally Field as well. The plot may be far-fetched, but still is very believable. Anyway, whether you like the film or not, you will certainly like Williams’ performance as Daniel Hillard, and as Mrs. Doubtfire.


My Rating: 3.5/5
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 71%