Mrs. Doubtfire Review

Mrs. Doubtfire

Release Date: 16th December 1993 – Australia

Production Companies
Blue Wolf

20th Century Fox (presents)

Distribution
20th Century Fox Australia

Genre: Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 125 minutes

Budget: $25,000,000

Box Office Gross: $441,286,195 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary
Daniel Hillard is a former actor/father who recently divorced and learned that his ex-wife is looking for a housekeeper. Wishing to be closer to his children while the custody battle continues, Daniel disguises himself as Mrs. Doubtfire (a made-up British nanny) and successfully applies for the job. In his new role, Daniel transforms his family's lives, as well as his perspective.

Cast

Robin Williams – Daniel
Hillard/Mrs. Euphegenia
Doubtfire

Sally Field – Miranda Hillard

Lisa Jakub – Lydia "Lydie"
Hillard

Matthew Lawrence – Christopher "Chris" Hillard

Mara Wilson – Natalie "Nattie" Hillard

Pierce Brosnan – Stuart Dunmire

Harvey Fierstein – Uncle Frank Hillard

Scott Capurro – "Aunt" Jack Hillard
Robert Prosky – Mr. Lundy
Polly Holiday – Gloria
Anne Haney – Mrs. Sellner
Sydney Walker – Bus Driver
Martin Mull – Justin Gregory
Terence McGovern – ADR Director Lou
James Cranna – Ron
William Newman – Mr. Sprinkles

Crew

Director – Chris Columbus

Based on the Novel "Alias Madame

Doubtfire" – Anne Fine

Screenplay – Randi Mayem Singer
and Leslie Dixon

Executive Producer – Matthew Rushton

Producers – Marsha Graces,
Robin Williams and Mark Radcliffe

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager –

Joan Bradshaw
Casting Directors – Janet Hirshenson
and Jane Jenkins

Animal Handler – Gary Gero

Production Designer – Angelo P. Graham

Art Director – W. Steven Graham

Assistant Art Director – James J. Murakami

Set Decorator – Garrett Lewis

Costume Designer – Marit Allen

Special Makeup Creator – Greg Cannom

Key Makeup Artist – Ve Neill

Director of Photography – Donald McAlpine

First Assistant Director – Geoffrey Hansen

Second Assistant Director – Cherylanne Martin

Location Manager – Bruce Devan

Stunt Coordinator – Troy Brown

Special Effects – John McLeod,

Frank W. Tarantino, Geoff Heron and

Leo Loverro

Animation Supervisor – Chuck Jones

Animation Producer – Linda Jones Clough

Animation Associate Producer – Stephen Fossatti

Film Editor – Raja Gosnell
Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer –

Gary Rydstrom

Assistant Sound Designer – Lora Hirschberg

Supervising Sound Editor – Gloria S. Borders

Foley Recordist – Christopher Boyes

Foley Artists – Tom Barwick and

Dennie Thorpe

Re-Recording Mixers – Tom Johnson

and Gary Summers

Music – Howard Shore

Composer/Conductor: Cartoon Music –

Fred Steiner

Supervising Music Editor – Ellen Seagal

Awards

1994 Academy Awards
Best Makeup – Greg Cannom, Ve Neill and Yolanda Toussieng (Won)

Review

MRS. DOUBTFIRE is a funny movie that will keep audiences laughing when they see Robin Williams' nanny disguise. There are so many funny scenes, and I especially liked the one where the kids see Williams' character, Daniel Hillard, drop the face mask onto the road only to have it run over by a truck. Another hilarious scene is when Daniel has trouble cooking and suddenly finds his fake appendages on fire.

This movie is a testament to Williams' versatility as an actor and his comic timing. He nails it perfectly with a dash of sweetness and energy. Some actors did a great job, especially Sally Field, who portrays the long-suffering ex-wife Miranda. I was surprised to see Pierce Brosnan play a supporting role in this movie. Usually, he is suited to the heroic lead roles, but in MRS. DOUBTFIRE, Brosnan's character as a suitor, is the second fiddle to Robin Williams' imperfect Daniel. The makeup artists and costume designers show great creativity in transforming Robin Williams into a matronly Mrs. Doubtfire.

About this comedy, I have nothing negative to say. MRS. DOUBTFIRE has been a great joint effort between Williams and director Chris Columbus. It remains popular and proves its enduring quality as an entertaining movie that keeps audiences laughing.

Star rating: (4/5) Good Movie

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