Loving but irresponsible dad Daniel Hillard, estranged from his exasperated spouse, is crushed by a court order allowing only weekly visits with his kids. When Daniel learns his ex needs a housekeeper, he gets the job -- disguised as a British nanny. Soon he becomes not only his children's best pal but the kind of parent he should have been from the start.
Robin Williams
Daniel Hillard / Mrs. Doubtfire
Sally Field
Miranda Hillard
Lisa Jakub
Lydia Hillard
Matthew Lawrence
Chris Hillard
Mara Wilson
Natalie Hillard
Pierce Brosnan
Stu
Robert Prosky
Mr. Lundy
Anne Haney
Mrs. Sellner
Harvey Fierstein
Frank
Scott Capurro
Jack
Polly Holliday
Gloria
Sydney Walker
Bus Driver
Joe Bellan
TV Boss
Martin Mull
Justin Gregory
Terence McGovern
ADR Director Lou
Karen Kahn
Female Employee #1
Eva Gholson
Female Employee #2
James Cunningham
Male Employee
Ralph Peduto
Cop
Scott Beach
Judge
Juliette Marshall
Miranda's Attorney
Drew Letchworth
Daniel's Attorney
Jessica Myerson
Miranda's Mother
Sharon Lockwood
Alice
James P. Cullen
Thug
Kenneth Loo
Staring Boy #1
Jeff Loo
Staring Boy #2
Betsy Monroe
Stunning Woman
Joseph Narducci
Delivery Boy
James Cranna
Ron
Dr. Toad
Bartender
Adele Proom
Lundy's Secretary
Rick Overton
Maitre D'
Dan Spencer
Cook
Paul Guilfoyle
Head Chef
Molly McClure
Woman Housekeeper
Andy Prosky
TV Director
William Newman
Mr. Sprinkles
Christopher Pray
Puppeteer
Geoff Bolt
Lundy's Waiter
Dick Bright
Stu's Waiter
Adam Bryant
Man in Men's Room
Tavia Cathcart
Tanya the Hostess
C. Beau Fitzsimons
Valet #1
Jeff Moeller
Valet #2
Benne Alder
Woman in Restroom
Smadar Hanson
Waitress (uncredited)
Director
Chris Columbus
Novel
Anne Fine
Screenplay
Randi Mayem Singer
Screenplay
Leslie Dixon
December 28, 2023
7
"Danny" (Robin Williams) and wife "Miranda" (Sally Field) just can't go on any longer with their marriage. Their constant rowing and her husband finally jacking in his job as a voice-over artiste of some cigarette-based "creative differences" see her get a divorce. "Danny" adores his three kids but is only given visitation rights for a Saturday until he can prove worthy of more. He manages to get a basic job, but misses his brood terribly. When he hears that "Miranda" is seeking a housekeeper, he hits on the idea of getting his gay brother "Frank" (Harvey Fierstein) and his boyfriend - who are into prosthetics - to make him a mask and some body-altering clothes and et voilà - he is now the English (but Scottish sounding?) "Mrs Doubtfire". "Miranda" takes to her instantly - after some mischievous ground-laying work be her ex, and soon (s)he is back in the family home amongst the children (s)he loves. With court-ordered inspections of his home regularly taking place, it is only a matter of time before this wheeze is rumbled but "Danny" hopes that his employer at a television network for kids (Robert Prosky) might appreciate the character he has created, boost the flagging ratings and maybe that way he can make enough money to restore his family to him? Meantime, the wealthy and smarmy "Stuart" (Pierce Brosnan) is looming on the horizon trying to woo his way into the family's good books - an operation that "Mrs. Doubtfire" watches and abhors at first hand. She's quite a dab hand with a lime at thirty paces! For most of this, it showcases Williams' considerable skills as a mimic and comedy actor - his timing is great. The film does rather fall off a cliff for me during the last half hour in the restaurant, though, where the comedic surrenders to the slap-stick and the joke comes crumbling down leaving us in a well of cringing sentimentality that I didn't particularly enjoy. That said, it's ground-breaking cinema that illustrates just what a dad will do to to be with his children and it takes a huge great swipe at sexual stereotyping too. There's a gentle chemistry between Williams and Field and there are some lovely, vicious, one liners thrown in for us to savour. Not great, but very good.
Status:
Released
Original Language:
English
Budget:
$25,000,000.00
Revenue:
$441,286,195.00