If there’s one name that will forever sit atop the comedy hall of fame, it has to be Robin Williams. Let me tell you something, folks. Robin Williams was a force to be reckoned with in the comedy world. From Mork & Mindy, Toys, Flubber to Popeye, he was the king of absurdity and quick wit. And let’s not forget his unforgettable performances in Good Morning, Vietnam, and Aladdin. But today, I’m here to talk about his classic comedy, Mrs. Doubtfire. This is a film that goes in history as one of the most iconic comedies of all time.
How to Download Mrs. Doubtfire
You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
Now, if you haven’t seen it (which, if you haven’t, go watch it RIGHT NOW), Mrs. Doubtfire tells the story of an actor named Daniel Hillard. Daniel goes to extreme lengths to stay close to his family after a messy divorce with his wife ensures that he can’t see them again for a while. He disguises himself as a British nanny just to get into his ex-wife’s house, and then hilariously navigates the challenges of raising children while keeping up the charade of being this incredibly iconic character.
The screenplay for Mrs. Doubtfire is a bit of a mixed bag, it relies on the characters being completely unaware and half-witted for most of the time. However, that has a certain charm, because the film tries to showcase how manipulative the main character can be, and brings forth a character arc where he learns to not be that way. There are plenty of clever jokes and hilarious one-liners that will leave you in stitches, along with the sharp and witty which showcases Robin Williams’ impeccable comedic timing, and his brilliant ability to improvise a scene on the spot.
Director, Chris Columbus does an excellent job of highlighting the absurdity of the plot, he ensures that the film keeps reminding you of how dumb the getup is, and yet it somehow works. The film’s comedic and emotional moments are mixed into a blender, where you’re never really sure of what you’re going to get at any turn in the story, and that makes for an unpredictability that is extremely exciting to witness.
As a kid, I mainly found the story to be hilarious, but it was surprising to note how much heart this film has. Not to mention, Chris Columbus does a great job at pacing this film, there’s always some drama that will keep you invested in the character arcs.
The Characters
Speaking of the characters, they are really well developed, in particular the protagonist of Daniel Hillard, who is by far the most interesting character to watch on screen. His rouse as Mrs. Doubtfire is just incredible, and Robin Williams’ ability to portray both Daniel and Doubtfire in one film, constantly switching between the two is just immaculate.
Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan are also incredibly fun to watch in this film, both of whom usually do serious films, but they just seem to be having a good time filming this one.
The Visuals
I wouldn’t say that the cinematography in this film is anything spectacular, the colors aren’t very vibrant and not many of the shots are too memorable. However, the film looks decent enough, it has a regular look to it, full of mundanity and normality, but that isn’t inherently a bad thing. It’s still a decent-looking film, just one that doesn’t stand out due to its look. It has a rustic feel to it, somewhat like walking into an old bar in New Orleans.
The Music
The main theme song for the film is iconic, but the rest of the music does pale in comparison to it. You will remember the one song that plays in the film the most, but other than that, it’s hard to remember music from Mrs. Doubtfire that truly engulfed itself into your mind. It is a decent soundtrack overall anyways, but just not great.
Verdict
Mrs. Doubtfire is one of those comedies that your childhood self will remember forever. Mrs. Doubtfire is a fun, absurdist comedy that showcases Robin Williams at his absolute best. It’s a feel-good movie that will have you laughing out loud and shedding a tear or two. It has flaws, such as the visuals and music, but none that make it bad in any way. So, grab some popcorn, kick back, and enjoy the hilarity.