Siskel & Ebert - Mrs. Doubtfire 1993 (Siskel Owns Ebert)

[@patrickc3419]

I remember seeing this in the theatre when it was released and people dying from laughter. My favorite was the restaurant scene where he’s going back-and-forth.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Even though I don't like the film as much as I used to, I must say that the restaurant scene was comedy gold. That was in the tradition Howard Hawks, classic madcap comedy.

[@spencerhensley5495]

Whether or not it has aged well is in the eyes of the beholder but we cannot deny how much of an effect this movie had on pop culture when it came out. It was the second highest grossing movie of 93 after only Jurassic Park. That’s huge. It was even later included over many other comedies on AFI’s top 100 comedies. I don’t think it’s as well loved as when it first came out now I feel it is more of a nostalgic Williams film than anything else but I personally think it’s his best after Dead Poets Society. What’s best is Robin got to do what he did best be funny and serious at the same time and both of those sides worked very well.

[@patrickc3419]

@@spencerhensley5495 Funny you should mention Jurassic Park; I remember seeing that in the theater that same year 🦖🙂 That’s probably true, what you mentioned about it not being as presently loved. It seems like it hasn’t aged well.

[@HarrisonHollers]

Funny, I usually find myself agreeing with or at least appreciating Roger’s reviews. Not this one! The big key to any film is can we be transported into the story and suspend disbelief. As a kid when this came out, I thought it was a funny movie and loved Robin. As I have gotten older, I realized how sad this story is. Not sure of the timing, but Robin Williams did go through a divorce and I wonder if this is a way for him to heal from the experience. Williams and Ebert are two of my idols. Thank you to those who upload this classic clips!

[@derekllewellyn6663]

Family movie crying myself before seeing family feud out side effects from

[@brianrose8772]

I’m with Siskel On this one.

[@DannyCosmos]

rare w from siskel

[@spencerhensley5495]

@@DannyCosmos Totally agree! I tended to side with Ebert more but I was with Siskel on this one along with Ghost, My Cousin Vinny, Die Hard, Dirty Dancing, and A Few Good Men as a few examples of when Siskel was right over Ebert.

[@DannyCosmos]

@@spencerhensley5495 siskel was kinda uptight and a bit prudish. i also agree with him on dumb and dumber and dont be a menace.

[@benjaminparkinson5255]

A sequel we never got would not happen rip robin.

[@1survivor566]

How did Ebert get this one so wrong, damn. Just goes to show that as much as we may trust and respect someones opinion we should always formulate our own.

[@Kruppt808]

Siskel and ebert were there to teach me things about great writing, acting ,director stuff ect... not to tell me if a movie was good or not imo. With their vast knowledge, they has so much insight to things I didn't even know about movies. If they happened to agree with me if a movie X was good or not was a bonus.

[@spencerhensley5495]

I tended to agree with Ebert more but once in a while Siskel was right and this was one of the few times.

[@youcantleavethisempty8872]

He was right. This movie sucked.

[@adamludlow1977]

This movie is the reason he killed himself. And Patch Adams And all the other movies he sold out.

[@swine74]

great film

[@spencerhensley5495]

I think this may be Williams best performance. Although Dead Poets Society will always be my favorite film of his this has an advantage as far as his acting goes because he got to be funny and serious at the same time. Not all of Mrs. Doubtfire is the laugh riot we remember it as. In fact some parts are very sad. But this shows the balance in Williams genius. Funny and serious Robin. One of the most beloved men ever at his best. It was a gift he gave to us. Thank you Robin. Love and miss you always.

[@benjaminparkinson5255]

Better nanny than father he was a,wonderful father

[@chrisghikes1693]

As I write this, one of the nearby city theaters is showing Mrs. Doubtfire as a musical and the cast tours all over the country. The only thing Siskel got wrong about Mrs. Doubtfire is that I believe the movie has superseded Tootsie as a classic film, especially with the passing of Robin Williams.

[@spencerhensley5495]

I like Tootsie only slightly better because Hoffman is my favorite actor. But still I agree I think Mrs. Doubtfire has proven to be the more remembered film of the two. While Dead Poets Society is my favorite Williams film Doubtfire allowed him to be in full range of both comedy and drama. And he was excellent in both. In terms of what showed Williams at his best in both sides of his talent Doubtfire captured it best.

[@A.I.Friends]

Just like Ebert's movie that he couldn't get to work.

[@linkbiff1054]

Roger must've had a bad day. He's admitted to having bad days which results in not liking certain films. Gene, on the other hand, hits it right on the head. Read his written review too.

[@sha11235]

I don't think he did have a bad day. I wasn't too crazy about this film either. I didn't think the disguise was as good as Hoffman's in Tootsie. I always knew I was looking at Robin Williams. Didn't have that when I saw Hoffman in Tootsie when he was in the disguise.

[@trinoromo6619]

@@sha11235 Really, I experienced the reverse, but probably it is because I saw this as a kid. Then again, kids are great at suspending disbelief.

[@Kruppt808]

Loved this movie, a dad who needed to grow up and start taking care of his responsibilities, he sees what's really important after he loses it. How difficult divorce is on the kids but also on bitter adults. With enough laughter to get through the tough emotional parts.

[@spencerhensley5495]

@@sha11235 Tootsie is definitely a better film but Doubtfire is still classic Williams. Not as good but good in its own right.

[@robbierice7442]

Usually I never agree with Gene Siskel but his review of Mrs Doubtfire he was spot on and right this movie became an instant classic. The restaurant scene I believe is truly funny R.I.P Robin Williams

[@patrickvecchio8138]

A hilarious movie.Ebert took it way to seriously.

[@spencerhensley5495]

Not only just hilarious but the dramatic material worked well. I think most people tend to forget as funny as this movie is it’s also a very heartbreaking story about divorce and I think it handled the funny and serious material both excellently.

[@boogerbrains138]

Where is the part where siskel owns ebert?

[@spencerhensley5495]

I think he owns him for giving the thumbs up while Eberts thumb was down. I think they are just saying they agreed with Siskel and not Ebert. Siskel was too hard at times on good films but this is one of the few times I agree with him over Ebert. More times when they disagreed I tended to side with Ebert but not this time. Imo Siskel was right here.

[@finster1968]

Answer: The classic status of this film and Ebert ending up on an island of wrong all by himself.

[@notreallyablessing7536]

How is it bad to tailor a movie according to an actors talents? You can tell this movie was personal for robin williams. Truly great movie, beloved by so many.

[@RIP_Greedo]

It’s not “bad” in itself but I do get Ebert’s comment about that. If you watch their reviews of most other Robin Williams movies they are consistently annoyed when he does roles that are just for him to riff and not play a character. The minute or two where he riffs in the court office in doubtfire is in line with that. But it’s a small part of a 2 hour movie, so it doesn’t derail it.

[@ilovebrandnewcarpets]

Roger could not be more wrong about the scene in the restaurant. First time I saw that I was busting out laughing… hell the second and third time I saw it I was too. I have to imagine he saw that in the theater the whole place would’ve been dying

[@donaldwagner8000]

It's a bad ass movie rip robin Williams it's so sad I have all the movie's

[@fernicusmaximus9282]

Siskel is usually the wrong one.

[@davidwoods8181]

I have to say, upon rewatching as an adult Mrs Doubtfire doesn’t hold up. Robin Williams makes him likeable, but Daniel is just the absolute worst human being ever 😂

[@kevinfinnerty8414]

Gene has kids. Roger doesn’t. That’s pretty much why this review was the way it is.

[@benjaminparkinson5255]

Now it's classic film.how wrong they turned out to be

[@dalfyramone8710]

Siskel never owned Ebert

[@bobsiyt6548]

Ebert owns Siskel. The restaurant scene lasted 10 minutes too long. Also, while dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire, the old woman who checks in on Daniel (Williams) at his apartment mentions how he looks familiar and they have the same eyes - she met him once previously... I just never bought that if that woman sensed something, there’s no way his ex-wife wouldn’t have caught on. I know... suspend disbelief... but one can only do so much of that.

[@stephenbarone4053]

It's a guy stalking his ex... Really funny. Also, just because you liked a movie as a kid that doesn't make it good.

[@ericslee1980]

Caitlyn Jenner brought me here.

[@gc3k]

Arrested Development ruined this movie for me

[@majestyk3337]

I agree with Ebert. That restaurant scene at the end seemed like something out of a bad sitcom.

[@sha11235]

I didn't care for this film much either. Tootsie was so much better.

[@meganluminais3586]

I prefer tootsie

[@Kruppt808]

I loved this movie, the guy trying to balance kids vs work. He almost kills Brosnan with the spice, HELP IS ON THE WAY!

[@adamludlow1977]

I’m with Ebert. This was garbage.

[@jamesmoyner7499]

I agree.

[@gheller2261]

My goodness, this movie was awful. Saw it with my mom on a visit home. And the scene that had Siskel in stitches was so beyond unfunny that my mom and I gave each other a "when is this going to be over" look.

[@jonathankoziol6573]

I’d go with Ebert on this one.

[@DannyCosmos]

Very RAre EBERT L ....

[@CaptainSpalding72]

The entire film is a lame sitcom. Full House never resorted to such awful pandering.

[@Kruppt808]

Full house was cheesy, this movie had heart. One of the best 90s movies on divorce. Robin Williams carries it, the ending always got me.

[@spencerhensley5495]

@@Kruppt808 I agree totally. This movie allowed Robin to be hilarious but also work very well as a serious actor. In a lot of his other movies he was either just funny or serious the whole time with no balance but this had balance between both sides of his talent which is why I feel it is one of his best.