What a great victory last weekend for the Walton Raider competition cheerleading squad! A much deserved second place in their division - now on to regions and state!
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Mrs. Doubtfire
In the wake of Robin
Williams’ untimely death, I thought I would review one of his most popular family
classics, Mrs. Doubtfire.
It’s hard to imagine someone
with such an unusual command of the art of comedy ending his life so tragically.
Like many fans, I am still bewildered that this could have happened, and at the
ripe age of 63, but I guess my confusion reveals an ignorance of the power of
depression. Sadly, addiction to alcohol and drugs, and the damage from a sad,
lonely childhood, among other things, eventually won out, robbing the world of Williams’
extraordinary gift. However, I am so very thankful that his humor, wit, and
one-of-a-kind hilarity are preserved for us and future generations in such wonderful
films as Dead Poets Society, RV, Good
Will Hunting, Aladdin, and of
course, Mrs. Doubtfire.
I was a bit teary-eyed when
I pulled the DVD from my private movie library and popped it into the Blu-ray.
Long ago, I fell in love with Euphegenia Doubtfire, as did Sally Field (sporting
an adorable bob) and her three kids, Chris, Lydia and Natalie. The intimidation
from those steely, blue eyes, mannish appearance, and strict, British decorum
fades away at the sound of Mrs. Doubtfire’s gentle Scottish brogue peppered
with “dear” after every other word. With a tongue as sharp as a whip, she has the
ability to pinpoint the root of the problem, figuratively cut it out, all the while
building up everyone’s self-esteem and getting plenty of laughs along the way.
I’m reminded of Tyler Perry’s Madea character and Dustin Hoffman’s Dorothy Michaels
in another favorite, Tootsie.
As most of you probably
know, when I speak of Mrs. Doubtfire, I am speaking of Robin Williams in drag hamming
it up in his usual spastic, almost schizophrenic style. But before the comedy
takes off, the story starts tragically with the cloud of an impending divorce
looming over the family. Once again, Williams has lost his job as a voice-over
actor leaving the financial responsibilities to his high-powered interior
designer wife (Field) who has just taken on a fabulous new client, played by
Pierce Brosnan. After coming home to their posh San Francisco mansion and finding
the house in a wreck, Field takes action and files for separation. Because of
Williams’ erratic behavior, he loses custody of the children until the court determines
he can hold down a job and attain a suitable place to live.
Since Williams is a man who
adores his children and can’t imagine going a single day without seeing them, he
takes drastic measures to ensure his rightful place as their father. Using his
brother’s skills at theater makeup and prosthetics, he conjures up a disguise
of a frumpy, middle-aged English woman with years of experience as a nanny. The
disguise, complete with an affected Scottish/English accent, is so good that it
fools the entire family, enabling him to land a position as their part-time
housekeeper.
Where Williams was sloppy and irresponsible as a selfish husband,
Mrs. Doubtfire is neat and tidy, cleaning the house from top to bottom, getting
the children to finish their homework, and making sure a healthy, gourmet meal
is on the table by the time Field returns home from work. She even takes the
time to sit at the kitchen table and have long, heart-felt, woman-to-woman
talks with Field. Before long, the entire family falls for the eccentric
English marm, harboring no suspicions that she is really their dad in drag. Not
until an inopportune bathroom moment reveals the truth to Chris and Lydia. After
getting over the initial shock, they agree to keep Williams’ ruse a secret from
Field and Natalie.
There is so much I love about this movie, one of them being Pierce Brosnan, who plays the straight man
to Williams’ quirky comedian. Looking dapper and elegant, he is the antithesis
of Williams and is a viable competitor for the family’s affections. As he makes
the moves on Field, Mrs. Doubtfire ratchets up her sharp tongue, letting
zingers fly that make everyone cringe. I have to admit, some of them border on
an R rating, but since they come at a fast-paced staccato style from a humorous
Williams, they whizz by before the viewer has time to ponder what was said. This
is the genius of Williams’ comedy – he always seemed to be one step ahead of
his audience, taking us down funny roads full of wonderful jokes and imitations
that keep the senses moving at lightning speed!
** SPOILER ALERT **
As in most great Hollywood
comedies, there are hilarious romps that keep the audience in stitches while Williams
maneuvers keeping Mrs. Doubtfire’s identity a secret from the court liaison,
his future employer, and most importantly, Field. But surprisingly, when the
truth is revealed, it is done in a way that saves Brosnan, Williams’ nemesis.
Even though it was performed in typical Robin Williams’ style, it was a selfless
act of love, putting the needs and desires of Field and his children above his
own.
The ending is perfect, with
the family coming to a place of restoration, though not what many of us
Christians would like to see. Williams and Field remain divorced, but he
resumes his place in the children’s lives as the loving, funny dad, complete
with new job that enables Mrs. Doubtfire to live on and share her unusual love
to the entire world.
A final message is delivered
by Mrs. Doubtfire on her highly ranked television show, encouraging children of
divorce to disbelieve the lie that they are somehow at fault. Divorce is a
decision made by two adults that in no way reflects their love for their
children. It touched my heart to think that perhaps one broken child might hear
this message from a funny-looking comedian dressed like a woman and be
delivered from the guilt that comes from a fractured home. This scene alone should
be enough to make Robin Williams proud.
Besides the impeccable
humor, he has left all of us movie-lovers a wonderful legacy in Mrs. Euphegenia
Doubtfire! Robin Williams, you and Mrs. Doubtfire will be sorely missed!
Thursday, October 2, 2014
The Lost Princess - download free
Download my children's illustrated book for FREE this week on kindle! For every age! A Christian allegorical story that has touched the hearts of first graders as well as a room full of wounded, hurting women. Be blessed!
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