Mrs Doubtfire

Cast: Robin Williams, Sally Field, Peirce Brosnan, Lisa Jakub, Mara Wilson and Matthew Lawrence.

Director: Chris Columbus

Release Date: 1993

Running Time: 2hrs 5 minutes

Genre: Comedy

Rating: 12

Format: DVD

Synopsis:

After a bitter divorce, an actor disguises himself as a female housekeeper in order to spend more time with his children, who are held in custody by his former wife. 

Twenty-four years ago, Robin Williams bounced onto our screens as the wonderfully charming and eccentric Euphegenia Doubtfire. On the night of his son's twelfth birthday, Daniel Hillard (Williams) realises he's gone a step too far with his wife's patience, resulting in her filing for divorce. Realising he has no job and no where to live, the court naturally places his three children Natalie (Wilson) Lydia (Jakubs) and Chris (Lawrence) in full custody of their mother. Determined to do everything he can to spend time with them he conjures up the wonderful idea of disguising himself as a female housekeeper, gaining employment by his ex-wife Miranda who has no idea.

Based on the children's book "Madame Doubtfire" by author Anne Fine. The storylne beautifully focuses on the difficulties that families have to face on a daily basis, divorce. Screenwriters Randi Mayem Singer and Leslie Dixon have added a perfect balance of humour and drama to the story. The late Robin Williams delivers one of his best performances as Daniel Hillard. Hilariously funny, William's comic timing is truly magnificent. The change of character that Williams is able to show is not only fantastic but exceptionally impressive. Divorce naturally isn't nice for anyone, however it can be even harder on children who don't understand what's going on, some children even blame themselves for their parents problems.

Mara Wilson stars as Natalie Hillard. Young and innocent she has no idea that her father is in disguise as Mrs Doubtfire, instead she finds herself mesmerised by Miranda's hunky new boyfriend Stu, performed brilliantly by Peirce Brosnan. Sally Field stars as Miranda Hillard an interior design who spends more time cleaning up after her husband then spending time with her family. Field's performance is not only realistic but terribly genuine. Brilliantly heartfelt, audiences will find themselves relating to her on all sorts of levels. Set in Robin Williams's real hometown of San Francisco, the setting really adds magic to the storyline.

An brilliantly entertaining soundtrack from the likes of House of Pain and Aerosmith, Chris Columbus once again proves he's capable of producing a terrific family film!

5/5 stars