J Besser All these years later I'm still surprised this movie was such a hit. It stinks. It's the story of an unsympathetic jerk. Would anyone really like to see their daughter or sister married to a guy like that? It's not helped that he's played by an "outrageous" Robin Williams (top 3 most overrated actors). How did movie win the oscar for Best Makeup? The makeup looks ridiculous. Plus this movie breaks a cardinal rule in comedy. "Mrs Doubtfire" is mean to the new boyfriend without reason. Pierce Brosnan's character is a nice guy. His character needs to be set up as a villian before all the "funny" stuff can happen to him. Otherwise it's not funny, it's assault.

George Wright I watched this movie on a full-day bus trip to Southern Maine and it certainly made the ride more enjoyable with some of the most hilarious scenes I've ever viewed in a movie. Made almost a quarter of a century ago, it still delivers great humour, sentiment and basic truths about the reality of modern family life. We see a well-meaning and decent mother played by Sally Field, trying to manage her professional job, three children and a loving husband and father played by Robin Williams. The trouble is that Williams can't seem to get his life together, even though his children are his heart and soul. When the two are forced to split, Williams, an actor and comedian, uses his talents to make sure he remains part of their life. The persona of Mrs. Doubtfire, which he creates, lends a welcome stability to the family's domestic life. But the mother's new romantic interest in Pierce Brosnan throws a wrench into things. More fun comes when Williams has to switch from one role to another to keep the whole massive trickery from falling apart. In the end, the family has learned a few things about what is required to grow and change amid their new understanding for one another. A wonderful movie, hilariously funny.

sol- Granted limited visitation rights, a divorced father disguises himself as a nanny to spend more time with his kids in this iconic Robin Williams comedy. Always a skilled comedian, Williams does some excellent vocal work here, not only nailing a proper English accent, but having lots of fun pretending to be various unsuitable nannies when making crank phone calls to his ex-wife. For all the makeup and hairstyling work though, Williams still looks very similar when in disguise here and the film therefore requires incredible suspension of disbelief to accept that his kids and wife (who have known him for years) do not quickly catch onto the charade. There is also an incredulous restaurant coincidence in the second half that leads to some over-the-top theatrics. The film's less elaborate comedy scenes work quite nicely though. Especially well done is a sequence in which Williams has to pretend to be both himself and his sister to appease a court-appointed social worker. Williams also gets away with saying some incredibly funny things in Mrs. Doubtfire's posh accent, particular regarding Pierce Brosnan as his ex-wife's latest suitor, without ever breaking character. Sally Field is stuck in a rather thankless part, very toned down opposite Williams, but she gets her share of good moments too with some of her reactions to Mrs. Doubtfire's suggestions.

Hitchcoc When Robin Williams died, we lost one of the most creative forces in the history of the entertainment world. He seemed able to latch on to any sort of role and make it his, with that nonstop mind of his. This, of course, has him impersonating a 60 something British nanny who moves in with his own kids in order to be near them. His ex- is Sally Field. Of course, it seems unlikely he would be able to get away with this, but in the context of the movie, he does. What we have from there on are sight gags, close calls, and marvelous improvisation from the master. He also creates an endearing figure that would still pass as a wonderful grandma type in any case. There were times when I forgot Williams was in that costume. There is a delicate touch here that really works. One of the best movies of the year.