A Good Man Is Hard To Find

Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 125 minutes

Box Office (in today’s dollars): 359 million (approximately)

Characters: Daniel Hillard, Euphegenia Doubtfire, Miranda Hillard, Lydia Hillard, Chris Hillard, Natalie Hillard, Stuart Dunmeyer, Jonathan Lundy, Mrs. Sellner, Frank, Jack

Favorite Quote: “It was a run-by fruiting.”

Favorite Scene: Daniel playing with the dinosaur toys

Favorite Character: Daniel Hillard

Other need-to-see nineties movies directed by Chris Columbus: Home Alone

It’s only the second comedy movie on my list so far (Groundhog Day being the other). I found the two similar in that they are both really funny, but really sad and depressing at the same time. Daniel Hillard/Euphegenia Doubtfire are played brilliantly by Robin Williams. Miranda Hillard is the classic not fun mom. Their kids (Lydia, Chris, and Natalie) are grumpy, awkward, and cute. Stuart Dunmeyer is the classic man moving into the possible new dad role. You have to hate him, but it’s possible he is a really nice guy. And Jonathan Lundy is the classic boss who enjoys his scotchy scotch scotch. My favorite character is Daniel, because if I was a dad, I would be like him. He likes to “Jump Around”, be funny at the wrong time, and wear a dress.

With Robin Williams being in the movie, there are of course hilarious things being said and done at an extremely fast pace. My favorite quote is “It was a run-by fruiting.” My favorite scene is when Daniel is playing with the dinosaur toys at the television station ... though the dinner scene where Daniel/Mrs. Doubtfire have to be in two places at once is amazing yet uncomfortable at the same time. You try to look away because you know it is going to end badly but you can’t. There are also two sweet montages in the movie where Mrs. Doubtfire is getting stuff done while “Dude Looks Like a Lady” and “Walk Like a Man” are playing.

The “man dresses up as a woman” role in movies has been around for a long time. Some Like it Hot is a classic, and then there are Tootsie (I have never seen it but I hear it is great) and Big Momma’s House, which somehow had two sequels even though the first one wasn’t that funny. I would say this is probably the best because it’s Robin Williams, quite possibly the funniest person ever. I can’t wait to get to Good Will Hunting, which is on my list ... only ten movies away!!

Next movie to review: Pulp Fiction