Mrs. Doubtfire

Name: Mrs. Doubtfire
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Family
Released: November 24, 1993
Duration: 125 min
Rating: 53
Cast: Robin Williams, Sally Field

1993

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 224 Ratings

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8.1	User Score Universal acclaim based on 224 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: November 24, 1993 | PG-13

Starring: Robin Williams, Sally Field

Summary: An unemployed actor (Williams) loses custody of his children after his wife leaves him. Desperate to spend more time with the kids, the crafty thespian decides to dress up as a 60-year-old British woman and interview with his ex-wife for a nanny position. He lands the job, but he'll have to give the performance of his life to keep it. (Fox)

Director: Chris Columbus

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 125 min

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Critic Reviews

Brian Lowry

Director Chris Columbus shrewdly brings together many of the same selling points as in his "Home Alone" movies, mixing broad comedic strokes with heavy-handed messages about the magical power of family. Read full review

Empire Caroline Westbrook

Although the broad comedy of the first half soon gives way to a tidal wave of entirely uncalled for sentimentality, this is still a laugh riot - the sight of our hero setting fire to his falsies never fails to amuse. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

Williams gives an inspired comic performance. Unfortunately, he outclasses the movie, which is basically a patchwork rip-off of Tootsie. Read full review

Desson Thomson

Williams has to break out of a second-rate "Tootsie" imitation, ankles clamped in pathos and face covered in latex. He pulls it off in the end, but it's not pretty. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

Anyone looking for the kind of comic brio that Dustin Hoffman and company brought to "Tootsie" will not find it here. [24 Nov 1993 Pg. F1]

Susan Wloszczyna

That Mrs. Doubtfire, a Tootsie Poppins for our times, misfires in the plausibility department and mis-aims its well-meaning if muddled messages about divorce doesn't matter. [24 Nov 1993 Pg. 01.D]

Brad Laidman

Mrs. Doubtfire is overlong, barely funny, and a surprisingly bitter movie especially for a film aimed at children. Read full review

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User Reviews

FilipeNeto

Jun 28, 2018

There are some actors who shine with their own light when put into the right environment and Robin Williams was one of those. From his long career (which was interrupted too precociously) we can count on several good films, some more famous or popular than others. However, it was throughThere are some actors who shine with their own light when put into the right environment and Robin Williams was one of those. From his long career (which was interrupted too precociously) we can count on several good films, some more famous or popular than others. However, it was through comedy that he stood out and, here, he had the whole film to show everything he could do. The result is one of the funniest and most addictive comedies I've ever had the pleasure of watching. In fact, Williams performance is the film's nerve core, supporting the action, the cast, the script, everything. The story revolves around a loving father whose professional instability prevented from maintaining partial custody of his children when divorce comes, thereby deciding to disguise himself as a woman to spend more time with his children. So we also have a beautiful and edifying moral background: the importance of family ties and paternal love. We cannot fail to observe the convincing way the makeup artists disguised Williams. The film also has the meritorious participation of Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan, in a more humorous record that is relatively unusual for the actor.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ScottReid

Mar 4, 2013

Robin Williams plays a 60 year old nanny with a soft Scottish accent. There's literally no words to describe this. I'll just um give it a 10.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Arceptaffer

Jul 29, 2015

Critics don't know what they are talking about. This film is ammmmmmmmmmmmmmmmaaaaaaaaazzzzzz
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnng!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

inaneswine

Nov 14, 2017

Robin Williams treats us to his entire catalogue for hysterically funny voices and faces in what should be one of the most ridiculous films of all time, which actually turns out to be one of the most touching. While the farcical situation occasionally does become a little too much, itRobin Williams treats us to his entire catalogue for hysterically funny voices and faces in what should be one of the most ridiculous films of all time, which actually turns out to be one of the most touching. While the farcical situation occasionally does become a little too much, it doesn't take away from what lies at the heart of the piece - an incredibly moving family drama about the sometimes devastating impact of divorce. This is a must for all ages.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

GerrickC.

Nov 24, 2006

This movie allows for some seriousness along with some of William's comedic abilities. The movie has one overlying theme: family. Williams shows his sensitive side and his ability of portraying older women with funny accents. The movie is funny, sad, and also very good.

2 of 2 users found this helpful

JJ2FAS4U

Dec 31, 2021

----------------------------------8.2/10-----------------------------------

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

amheretojudge

Sep 22, 2018

and logistics thin as wafer..

Mrs. Doubtfire Mrs. Doubtfire is a plot driven comic drama about a guy pushing his boundaries in order to mend his broken marriage. If the jokes are funny it's because of the comic timing of the cast, it's dramatic because of the performance and it worksand logistics thin as wafer..

Mrs. Doubtfire Mrs. Doubtfire is a plot driven comic drama about a guy pushing his boundaries in order to mend his broken marriage. If the jokes are funny it's because of the comic timing of the cast, it's dramatic because of the performance and it works throughout the course of it despite of having plenty of ups and downs, because of Williams's charm that enlightens each frame. It hits few notes so correct that one gets its hopes high only to fall flatly on face so badly that it strikes down all the earned integrity up till then. In fact, its last act is so sloppy and blunt that it aches you to watch such a talent go waste by on something so redundant and juvenile. The writing gets frizzy, daft and cheesy as it ages on screen, with emotions shallow and logistics thin as wafer. The makeup designing is finely detailed, but it is short on technical aspects like typical background score, cinematography and amatuer editing. Williams is a revelation in here, his electrifying performance makes the heart pump faster and harder than ever where he is decently supported by Field. Columbus's execution still needs few better ticks and notions to nurture such a concept, either you go all sketchy and wait for the thrills and laughs or you go pragmatic and breed it sensibly and slowly to create the anticipated impact. All the husbandry gags that it is brimmed with no matter how sketchy and animated, the laughs pours out from the screen and the responsible man to contact in here is no one but Williams who is delivering some of his finest work of his career. Mrs. Doubtfire has the heart in the right place, but there factors lots of aspects in a feature than a mere concept and it is that puzzle that the makers fail to solve.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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