Robin Williams Tribute Month: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)

It's an accomplishment for any actor to create a truely memorable character. But it's even more astounding to have a male actor playing a male actor create a memorable female character. That's right, I'm talking about the ultimate 'Act-ception' movie, Mrs. Doubtfire.

The classic 90s comedy from Chris Columbus is still as fresh as ever, managing to keep me laughing in stitches all the way through, even on the one-millionth viewing. I dare say it has some of the most hilarious lines and funniest montages in history, and watching Robin Williams dressed as an elderly Scottish nanny beating a criminal away with her handbag never gets old.

Many would consider this to be Robin Williams best film. I think if you treat his comedic and his dramatic performances seperately then this quite probably is the best comedy he every did, but as we've found out over the tribute month, he starred in a wide array of classics. However this could well have been one of the most challenging roles for him. Consider yourself as a short hairy American male wearing a huge body suit, women's clothes, makeup and putting on a pretty damn convincing Scottish (though she claims to be English) female accent, whilst still managing to give an outstanding performance and you'll understand Williams' feat in this movie.

This is one of those hilarious films that you don't complain about when your local TV station plays it every two weeks, because it's so accessable and never, ever seems to get old. I grew up watching this film, and I intend to grow old watching it too. It's another perfect example of the energetic, yet incredibly authentic performances that defined the career of Robin Williams.

Ed

Like with rewatching Aladdin, revisiting this movie had me in stitches. I think Williams was at the peak of his popularity, or he was just very skilled, but this period of his acting career was amazing. Maybe it's because those two movies relied so heavily on his ability as a voice actor.

A lot of this movie's greatest scenes come from Williams interactions with the other characters whilst in makeup. His insane passive-aggression toward Pierce Brosnan is hilarious and tense. His relationship with Sally Field is heartfelt and genuine. He also is a loving father who cares for his kids like the world would be nothing without them.

My favourite scenes would probably be when he interacts with his court liaison (played by Polly Holliday), both in and out of costumes. When he explains the idea of doing voices, I was laughing, but when he was making her tea as Mrs Doubtfire, I was rolling on the floor laughing.

This movie is full of pop culture references, alluding to everything from Dirty Harry to Looney Tunes. Robin Williams even says a James Bond line to the next James Bond, Pierce Brosnan.

This movie was a staple of my childhood and I love it just as much now as I did back then. This is the perfect movie to end our Robin Williams month with. I hope everyone reading this goes back and watches not just this movie, but all the ones he was in.

Jack