One of the most acclaimed movies by both critics and audiences came about in the late 90s, with newcomers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. This was written by the two, and with that came a great success story. Both were obscure actors who went from Beantown to Hollywood, seemingly overnight. I'm sure the title had some people curious.
Matt Damon plays Will Hunting, a genius/streetwise tough lawbreaker/orphan and janitor at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). He analyzes a very tough mathematical equation that not even the students can figure out! However, he keeps to himself until a professor (Stellan Skarsgard) catches him and tries to bail Will out of going to jail. Will, who's sentenced for punching a police officer (along with a long rap sheet), is given emancipation as long as he does the math and sees a therapist. That therapist is Dr. Sean Maguire, who tries to get through to Will, but together they form a bond, teaching each other the facts of life, among many things.
I admit it took me a while to get into this movie. I saw it at the theater weeks after its release, but what really grabbed me at first was Robin Williams' powerful performance. He was the Robin Williams I have never seen in any of his movies: strong, honest and serious. The one thing I didn't really consume well was the ending, and how Will's relationship with his girlfriend panned out (SPOILER). I do believe that it's probably there to give us hope.
The argument between Maguire and Skarsgard's character Professor Lambeau is a moment I consider iconic in the film because it gives the viewer two very different perspectives that mirror our lives. How do we know what we want or what the person we're trying to help wants? Who is this really about? Have we grown up yet? What is growing up? On the movie's facebook page a few days ago it had a picture of the two men and the caption read, 'There are two sides to every argument'. I have to agree and its relevant.
Some of my friends consider this to be in their Top 10 of their favorite movies. I can understand why; as this would be in my Top 20. At first I found the movie very depressing, and while I don't really feel that way anymore, I consider it to be more motivating and inspirational at the same time. Maybe it's just one of those movies that gets better with time, or one that gets better everytime I watch it.
If you haven't seen this yet, please do so. Rated R for fighting violence and strong language.
My rating: 9 out of 10
Tomatometer: 97%
Showing posts with label robin williams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label robin williams. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Friday, April 25, 2014
04/25: Mrs. Doubtfire
It was just recently announced that a sequel to Mrs. Doubtfire is in development, with Robin Williams returning. Then I thought it would be a good time for me to write about one of my favorite movies from my pre-teen years. The movie came out in late 1993, and I was in sixth grade. This was one of those movies that became a part of me for the longest time.
Williams, in one of his best comedic roles, plays Daniel Hillard, who gets a divorce from his wife, Miranda (Sally Field). To make matters worse, he loses custody of his three children because of his unstable lifestyle, as in his ability to keep a job, lack of disciplinary skills, etc. Daniel, a voice actor, takes up work at a TV studio, while trying to rebuild his life. He is also informed that his ex-wife is hiring a housekeeper to look after the kids, so he quickly enlists his brother (a makeup artist) to make him a woman! The result is Mrs. Doubtfire, who is hired on, and immediately becomes a family fixture. Daniel enjoys his double life, while at the same time unhappy with Miranda's new love interest (Pierce Brosnan). Keeping his alter ego a secret becomes nonetheless a challenge!
A great family fun movie, with a few dark humor bits mixed in here and there. But it totally fits the definition of a perfect comedy: one that keeps you laughing throughout the movie, and it all turns out with a lesson and a happy ending. The lesson is about the importance of family, and keeping your life in order. How important are your children? What will you do for them? How far will you go for them? The answer for Daniel Hillard is obviously painted here. Many men can relate to Daniel, and luckily I don't think a lot of women can relate to Miranda. Even though Sally Field does a great performance in that movie, unfortunately I don't think careers are better than kids. Sorry, but that's just how I feel. I do think the real lesson learned in this movie is that people do change, for the best.
And going back to the sequel....I can already say it's not a great idea. I do agree with Chris Columbus's comments on the Mrs. Doubtfire character, about her being wasted (no not in a drunken way!). He wants to use her for better measures, since she is ageless. The sequel is not a new idea as I remember reading about it on imdb probably a decade ago and so many negative user comments flooded the page. Luckily Robin Williams rejected it (or them), but apparently he is on board for the new movie. As if his hit TV show wasn't enough....
p.s. If you have the DVD or Blu-ray, check out the deleted scenes, which mostly feature Polly Holliday, who plays grumpy Gloria, the Hillard's neighbor. In different cut scenes, Daniel 'poisons' her flowers!
My rating: 9 out of 10
Williams, in one of his best comedic roles, plays Daniel Hillard, who gets a divorce from his wife, Miranda (Sally Field). To make matters worse, he loses custody of his three children because of his unstable lifestyle, as in his ability to keep a job, lack of disciplinary skills, etc. Daniel, a voice actor, takes up work at a TV studio, while trying to rebuild his life. He is also informed that his ex-wife is hiring a housekeeper to look after the kids, so he quickly enlists his brother (a makeup artist) to make him a woman! The result is Mrs. Doubtfire, who is hired on, and immediately becomes a family fixture. Daniel enjoys his double life, while at the same time unhappy with Miranda's new love interest (Pierce Brosnan). Keeping his alter ego a secret becomes nonetheless a challenge!
A great family fun movie, with a few dark humor bits mixed in here and there. But it totally fits the definition of a perfect comedy: one that keeps you laughing throughout the movie, and it all turns out with a lesson and a happy ending. The lesson is about the importance of family, and keeping your life in order. How important are your children? What will you do for them? How far will you go for them? The answer for Daniel Hillard is obviously painted here. Many men can relate to Daniel, and luckily I don't think a lot of women can relate to Miranda. Even though Sally Field does a great performance in that movie, unfortunately I don't think careers are better than kids. Sorry, but that's just how I feel. I do think the real lesson learned in this movie is that people do change, for the best.
And going back to the sequel....I can already say it's not a great idea. I do agree with Chris Columbus's comments on the Mrs. Doubtfire character, about her being wasted (no not in a drunken way!). He wants to use her for better measures, since she is ageless. The sequel is not a new idea as I remember reading about it on imdb probably a decade ago and so many negative user comments flooded the page. Luckily Robin Williams rejected it (or them), but apparently he is on board for the new movie. As if his hit TV show wasn't enough....
p.s. If you have the DVD or Blu-ray, check out the deleted scenes, which mostly feature Polly Holliday, who plays grumpy Gloria, the Hillard's neighbor. In different cut scenes, Daniel 'poisons' her flowers!
My rating: 9 out of 10
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