Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
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71% of critics liked it
(49 reviews) -
73% of users liked it
(955,677 ratings)
Robin Williams learns that keeping in touch with his children can be a drag in this hit comedy. Daniel Hillard (Williams) is an eccentric actor who specializes in dubbing voices for cartoon characters. Daniel is a kind man and a loving father, but he's a poor disciplinarian and a shaky role… More Robin Williams learns that keeping in touch with his children can be a drag in this hit comedy. Daniel Hillard (Williams) is an eccentric actor who specializes in dubbing voices for cartoon characters. Daniel is a kind man and a loving father, but he's a poor disciplinarian and a shaky role model. After throwing an elaborate and disastrous birthday party for his son, Daniel's wife Miranda (Sally Field) reaches the end of her patience and files for divorce. Daniel is heartbroken when Miranda is given custody of the children, and he's only allowed to visit them once a week. Determined to stay in contact with his kids, Daniel learns that Miranda is looking for a housekeeper, and with help from his brother Frank (Harvey Fierstein), a makeup artist, Daniel gets the job disguised as Mrs. Iphegenia Doubtfire, a stern but caring Scottish nanny. Daniel pulls off the ruse so well that neither his ex-wife nor his children recognize him, and in the process, he learns how to be the good parent he should have been all along. However, Daniel also has to deal with the little matter of Miranda's new boyfriend, Stu (Pierce Brosnan). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Chris Columbus
- Written By
- Anne Fine, Randi Mayem Singer, Leslie Dixon
- Genres
- Comedy
- In Theaters
- Nov 24, 1993 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Brian Lowry, Variety
Although overly sappy in places and probably 20 minutes too long, this Robin Williams-in-drag vehicle provides the comic a slick surface for doing his shtick, within a story possessing broad family appeal.
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David Ansen, Newsweek
I've rarely laughed so much at a movie I generally disliked.
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Derek Adams, Time Out
Sit-com stuff, then, with laboured farcical interludes, and a mushy post-feminist sensibility. Funny notwithstanding.
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Janet Maslin, New York Times
The dress, the mask and Mrs. Doubtfire's gentility are inherently limiting, but nothing holds Mr. Williams back when he's on a roll.
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James Berardinelli, ReelViews
In terms of plot, the film is rather feeble, but sometimes there's more to a movie than story, and this is one of those rare occasions when all the other elements pull together and lift the production.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Robin Williams
as Daniel Hillard, Mrs. Iphegenia Doubtfire
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Sally Field
as Miranda Hillard
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Pierce Brosnan
as Stu
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Harvey Fierstein
as Frank
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Polly Holliday
as Gloria
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Lisa Jakub
as Lydia Hillard
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Matthew Lawrence
as Chris Hillard
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Mara Wilson
as Natalie Hillard
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Robert Prosky
as Mr. Lundy
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Anne Haney
as Mrs. Sellner
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Scott Capurro
as Jack
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Scott Beach
as Judge
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Joe Bellan
as TV Boss
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Adam Bryant
as Man in Men's Room
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James Cunningham
as Male Employee
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Karen Kahn
as 1st Female Employee
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Juliette Marshall
as Miranda's Attorney
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Molly McClure
as Woman Housekeeper
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Terry McGovern
as ADR Director Lou
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Jessica Myerson
as Miranda's Mother
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William Newman
as Mr.Spinkles
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Rick Overton
as Maitre 'd
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Danielle Spencer
as Cook
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Syd Walker
as Bus Driver
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Martin Mull
as Justin Gregory
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James Cranna
as Ron
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Ralph Peduto
as Cop
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Paul Guilfoyle
as Head Chef
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Eva Gholson
as Employee
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Dr. Toad
as Bartender
- Sydney Walker
- Terence McGovern



