Mrs. Doubtfire

Mrs. Doubtfire

This huge 1993 hit for Robin Williams and director Chris Columbus (Home Alone), based on a novel called Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine, stars Williams as a loving but flaky father estranged from his frustrated wife (Sally Field). Devastated by a court order limiting his time with the children, Williams's character disguises himself as a warm, old British nanny who becomes the kids' best friend. As with Dustin Hoffman's performance in Tootsie, Williams's drag act--buried under layers of latex and padding--is the show, and everything and everyone else on screen serves his sometimes frantic role. Since that's the case, it's fortunate that Williams is Williams, and his performance is terribly funny at times and exceptionally believable in those scenes where his character misses his children. Playing Williams's brother, a professional makeup artist, Harvey Fierstein has a good support role in a bright sequence where he tries a number of feminine looks on Williams before settling on Mrs. Doubtfire's visage. --Tom Keogh

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Family
Director(s): Chris Columbus
Production: 20th Century Fox
  Won 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 9 nominations.
 
IMDB:
6.9
Metacritic:
53
Rotten Tomatoes:
71%
PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Year:
1993
125
24,141 Views
She Makes Dinner. She Does Windows. She Reads Bedtime Stories. She's a Blessing in Disguise.
She'll Rock Your World.

Daniel:
[as Pudgy the Parrot] Yipe. On second thought, YIPE! 9-1-1! 9-1-1! Police! Civic Authorities! A.S.P.C.A, A.S.A.P! Murder! Betrayal! Kidnapped! No! Birdnapped!

Daniel:
[as Grunge the Cat] A cup of garlic, a twist of parakeet. Eat your heart out, Julia Child.

Daniel:
[as Pudgy the Parrot] Excuse me, but isn't it customary for the jailbird to get one telephone call?

Daniel:
[as Grunge the Cat] In your case, I think not. Afternoon snacks have very few civil liberties. But I'm not wholly without heart. How about a nice, soothing cigarette?

Daniel:
[as Pudgy the Parrot, pretends to cough and choke and ad libs over the line "Beak Cancer"] I will not do this! I cannot! Oh, what a foul way for a bird to die! I don't want to get beak cancer! No! My lungs are blackened!

[Irritated, Lou rolls his eyes]

Lou:
Here we go again. Cut! Roll it back! What are you doing? [Daniel stops, startled] Daniel, that line is not in the script. Why did you add it?

Daniel:
Well, I thought I should comment on the situation.

Lou:
What situation?

Daniel:
The fact the Pudgy the Parrot has a cigarette shoved into his mouth is morally irresponsible!

Lou:
This is a cartoon, okay? This is not a freaking Oprah Winfrey special!

Daniel:
Lou, millions of kids see this cartoon. It's like sending each one of them a packet of cigarettes and saying, "Light up!"

Lou:
You can't put words in Pudgy's mouth if his mouth isn't moving!

Daniel:
Well, it's a voice over. It's an interior monologue. Maybe even the voice of God. That's even better. [as God] Don't Pudgy! Don't smoke!

Lou:
[sighing] Actors.

Daniel:
What? Well, let's ask the technicians. [at technicians] Do you think it's morally right to promote smoking to the youth of America?

[The three men are observing the recording studio from a control room, each smoking a cigarette. One of them shrugs.]

Daniel:
[Whistles] They're biased. That's a mistrial.

Lou:
Daniel, listen to me. This session is costing the studio thousands of dollars. Now if you want a paycheck, you stick to the script. If you want to play Gandhi, then do it on somebody else's time!

[Daniel removes recording headphones]

Daniel:
[as Gandhi] Then I got to do what I got to do.

[Daniel proceeds to exit recording studio]

Lou:
That's very funny. Where the hell are you going? Hey, listen, buddy. I'll tell you something. If you leave, you're not coming back in. I'm not taking any crap from you, pal.

Daniel:
Well, in the words of Porky Pig... [as Porky Pig] Pi-pi-pi-pi pi-pi-pi-pi pi- piss off, Lou!

[he exits]

Judge:
Mr. and Mrs. Hillard, although these custody proceedings have always tended to favor the mother, we also realize, perhaps, now, more than ever, that it is not in a child's best interest to deprive him or her of an obviously loving father. However, since at the present time, Mr. Hillard has no place to live and no employment, it is the court's ruling to award sole custody to Mrs. Hillard.

Miranda's Lawyer:
Congratulations.

Daniel:
No...

Judge:
Mr. Hillard will have visitation rights every Saturday.

Daniel:
[whispering to his lawyer] Can't you do something?

Daniel's Lawyer:
He's already made his decision.

Daniel:
Isn't it traditional to say, like, "I object" or something? [to the judge] Your Honor, please. I mean, every Saturday, that's one day a week. That's not enough. I have to be with my children. It's not a question, really. I mean, I have to be with them, sir, please. I know it seems like a lot, but for me, it's not enough, really. I haven't been away from them for more than one day since the day they were born.

Judge:
Mr. Hillard, I would like to add that this ruling is only temporary.

Daniel:
Oh, good.

Judge:
I will assign a court liaison to oversee your case, and there will be a continuance of these proceedings in 90 days. I'm giving you three months, Mr. Hillard.

Daniel:
Thank you.

Judge:
Three months in which to get a job, keep it, and create a suitable home. If this proves to be a possibility for you, I will consider a joint-custody arrangement when we reconvene. We're adjourned. [bangs gavel]

[Daniel calls Miranda as several undesirable applicants for the housekeeper position]

Miranda:
[answers as she is driving] Hello? Are you calling in response to the ad?

Daniel:
[in a monotone feminine voice] Uh-huh.

Miranda:
Tell me, who was your previous employer?

Daniel:
I was in a band. Severe Tire Damage.

Miranda:
In a band?

Daniel:
I just want to know one thing: are your kids well-behaved, or do they need like a few light slams every now and then?

Miranda:
Um... I'll have to get back to you on that.

Daniel:
Wow! [Miranda hangs up]

[Cut to Daniel calling Miranda while taking a bath]

Daniel:
[in a German accent] Ja, my name is Ilsa Himmelman, and I want to know how many children do you have?

Miranda:
I have two girls and a boy.

Daniel:
Oh, a boy. I don't work with the males because I used to be one.

Miranda:
[hangs up in shock] Yikes!

[Cut to Daniel calling Miranda later that night]

Miranda:
Hello?

Daniel:
[screams; in a Southern accent] Layla, get back in your cell! Don't make me get the hose! [in a soft voice] Hello? [Miranda hangs up in shock again. Daniel calls her again in a Spanish accent] I. Am. Job.

Miranda:
Do you speak English?

Daniel:
I. Am. Job.

Miranda:
I'm sorry, the position has been filled. [hangs up] Oh, what a nightmare!

Daniel:
[as he dials Miranda's number one last time] Let's go in for the kill.

Miranda:
[answers the phone] Hello?

Daniel:
[in a feminine English accent] Hello. I'm calling in regards to the ad I read in the paper.

Miranda:
Yes. Well, would you tell me a little bit about yourself?

Daniel:
Oh, certainly dear. For the past 15 years, I have worked for the Smythe family of Elbourne, England. That's Smythe, not Smith, dear. And for them, I did house-cleaning, cooking, and took care of their four glorious children. Oh, I grew quite attached to them after 15 years, but they grew up, as children tend to do. Oh, but listen to me, I am going on when you should be telling me about your little ones.

Miranda:
Well, I have two girls...

Daniel:
Oh, two precious gems. No doubt, the jewel of your eye.

Miranda:
...and one boy.

Daniel:
Oh, the little prince. How wonderful.

Miranda:
I must tell you, there would be a little light cooking required.

Daniel:
Oh, I don't mind that dear. I'd love some heavy cooking, but I do have one rule: They'll only eat good, nutritious food with me. And if there's any dispute about that, it's either good, wholesome food or empty tummies. That's my rule. I hope it's not too harsh for you, dear.

Miranda:
No. Um, would you mind coming on an interview, say, Monday night at 7:30?

Daniel:
Oh, I'd love to, dear.

Miranda:
Wonderful. I'm at 2640 Steiner Street.

Daniel:
Steiner. Oh, how lovely.

Miranda:
Could you tell me your name?

Daniel:
My name? I thought I gave it to you, dear.

Miranda:
No.

Daniel:
Oh! [sees a newspaper headline that reads, "Police Doubt Fire Was Accidental"] Doubtfire.

Miranda:
I beg your pardon?

Daniel:
Doubtfire, dear. Mrs Doubtfire.

Miranda:
Well, I look forward to meeting you.

Daniel:
Oh, lovely, dear. Me, too.

Miranda:
Bye-bye.

Daniel:
Ta-ta. [hangs up; in his normal voice] Showtime. [chuckles]

Daniel:
[as Mr. Rogers] Hello, boys and girls, today we're going to talk about dinosaurs. It's a dino-saurus line! [sings fanfare] And please welcome the King! [hums tune and imitates Elvis with a T-Rex] It's a dinner show. Hey, where you from? Hey, I'm gonna make you lunch, thank you very much. Thank you! All right! Ladies and gentlemen, put your claws together. Please welcome James Bronnnnnntosaurus! [James Brown style] Pum pum pum, I eat wood, dada dada dada da, it tastes good, dada dada dada da no meat, big feet, I eat wood, pum pum pum! Oh I got to help myself, can't go on, can't go on, I'm going extinct! Oh, thank you James, but now, Yo! it's time for the Raptor Rap. [Lundy happens to walk in on the set as Daniel begins raps with the raptor] Yo I'm a Raptor doing what I can going to eat everything 'til the appearance of man. Yo yo, see me, I'm living below the soil, I'll be back, but I'm coming as oil!

Lundy:
[walks over to Daniel and claps] Very impressive, Mr. Hillard!

Daniel:
Oh, I didn't know anybody was watching. I was just playing. I don't think I...

Lundy:
I was watching. That's funny stuff.

Daniel:
Well, thanks.

Lundy:
I think kids would like it. They'd be entertained, and they'd get some information, too.

Daniel:
Yeah, well, that's kind of my theory. I think I could, you know... You don't have to play down to 'em, you just play to 'em.

Lundy:
Listen, I'd like to hear some more of your ideas.

Daniel:
My ideas?

Lundy:
How about a dinner meeting?

Daniel:
Oh, okay.

Lundy:
Next Friday, Bridges Restaurant, 7:00 sharp.

Daniel:
I'll be there. [Lundy walks away] Take five. Take five million. You're dead.

Judge:
Miss Robeson, do you have any closing remarks?

Miranda's Lawyer:
Nothing further, Your Honor.

Judge:
Well, Mr. Hillard, since you've determined to act as your own attorney, you are entitled to make a closing statement at this time.

Daniel:
Your Honor, in the past two months, I have secured a residence, I've refurbished that residence and made it an environment fit for children. Those are your words. I'm also holding down a job as a shipping clerk. So I believe I met your requirements ahead of schedule. In regards to my behavior, I can only plead insanity, because ever since my children were born, the moment I looked at them, I was crazy about them. And once I held them, I was hooked. I'm addicted to my children, sir. I love them with all my heart, and the idea of someone telling me I can't be with them, I can't see them every day... it's like someone saying I can't have air. I can't live without air, and I can't live without them. Listen, I would do anything. I just want to be with them. You know I need that, sir. We have a history. And I just— they mean everything to me, and they need me as much as I need them. So please, don't take my kids away from me. Thank you.

Judge:
Mr. Hillard, you've been able to fool a lot of people into believing you're a 60-year-old woman. No easy task. And your little speech seemed to be very heartfelt and genuine. But, I believe it to be a terrific performance by a very gifted actor. Nothing more.

Daniel:
No, it's not that.

Judge:
The reality, Mr. Hillard, is that your lifestyle over the past months has been very unorthodox. And I refuse to further subject three innocent children to your peculiar and potentially harmful behavior. It is this court's decision to award full custody to Mrs. Hillard.

Daniel:
Oh, God, no, sir, please...

Judge:
You will have supervised visitation rights every Saturday.

Daniel:
Supervised, sir?

Judge:
Yes. A court liaison will accompany you when you spend time with the children. I am suggesting a period of psychological testing and perhaps treatment for you, Mr. Hillard. We will reexamine this case one year from now. Thank you. Court is adjourned. [bangs gavel]


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