"Mrs. Doubtfire" is a heartwarming comedy-drama that delves into the lengths a father would go to be with his children. Daniel Hillard, portrayed by the legendary Robin Williams, is a voice actor living in San Francisco. After a messy divorce with his wife, Miranda, played by Sally Field, Daniel is devastated to learn that he will only get to see his three children once a week.
Desperate to spend more time with them, he concocts a plan. With the help of his makeup artist brother, Daniel transforms into the elderly British nanny, Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire. He successfully deceives Miranda and gets hired as the nanny for his own children.
As Mrs. Doubtfire, Daniel not only gets closer to his kids but also learns valuable lessons about parenting and responsibility. However, maintaining the charade isn't easy, and as the truth inches closer to being revealed, Daniel must face the consequences of his action.
- Release Date: November 24, 1993
- Director: Chris Columbus
- Genre: Comedy-Drama
- Running Time: 125 minutes
- Rating: 7.0/10
Where to Stream
- US:
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- Australia (AU):
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- Great Britain (GB):
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- Germany (DE):
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- Brazil (BR):
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- Spain (ES):
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- France (FR):
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- Canada (CA):
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Production Details
- Production Company: Blue Wolf Productions, 20th Century Fox
- Distributed by: 20th Century Fox
- Budget: $25 million
- Box Office Collection: $441.3 million
Trivia
- Robin Williams improvised many of his lines, bringing his unique comedic touch to the character of Mrs. Doubtfire.
- The makeup process to transform Williams into Mrs. Doubtfire took approximately four hours each day.
- The restaurant scene, where Daniel juggles between his Mrs. Doubtfire persona and himself, was one of the most challenging to shoot due to its complexity.
- The film's title is derived from a newspaper ad seen by Daniel, where the words "Doubt Fire" inspire the name "Doubtfire."
- In 1994, "Mrs. Doubtfire" won the Academy Award for Best Makeup, acknowledging the incredible transformation of Williams into the titular character.
Critical Reception
Upon its release, "Mrs. Doubtfire" was met with a mix of critical reviews but was a massive hit with audiences worldwide. Critics praised Robin Williams' performance, noting his impeccable comedic timing and the depth he brought to a character that could have been just a caricature in the hands of a less skilled actor. Sally Field's portrayal of Miranda was also lauded for bringing depth to a character that could have been one-dimensional.
Roger Ebert, a renowned film critic, gave the movie three out of four stars, stating that the film was "a very funny movie, but also a very thoughtful one." He particularly praised Williams' performance, noting that he "brings his character to a kind of perfection."
However, some critics felt that the film's plot was predictable and that it relied too heavily on Williams' comedic antics. Despite the mixed critical reception, the film was a box office success, grossing over $441 million worldwide against a budget of $25 million.
The film's portrayal of divorce and the lengths a parent would go to be with their children resonated with many viewers. Over the years, "Mrs. Doubtfire" has become a beloved classic, with many considering it one of Robin Williams' most iconic roles.