In the original script, the ending was supposed to be Daniel and Miranda getting back together. But Robin Williams and Sally Field encouraged the writers that they use a different ending because they were worried that it would send kids the wrong message about divorce. I think that was the right move on their part.
Agreed, I think the reason I loved this movie so much since I was a child is because I was a child of Divorced parents, this movie felt relatable too me
My parents have been married for almost 40 years and yet I still find it relatable. I think because it’s deeper than just being about divorce but having family far away but still being in heart
This is a perfect ending. No, they didn’t get back together- but they came up with a plan for every day after school with the kids. They respect each other. And that’s how it should be when kids are involved in a “friendly divorce”
@K.A. Sharmella It’s depends on the people involved. Yeah, when it was toxic and abusive it’s obvious why someone doesn’t want to see their ex. But sometimes the relationship was fine, it’s just that they’re not in love anymore. Daniel and Miranda fell somewhere in the middle. It wasn’t abusive, but it brought out the worst of them and Miranda realized it first (took Daniel a little longer). They’re amicable, but recognized that they’re better off separated, for their sakes and for their kids.
In this final scene when she smiled at the television when Mrs. Doubtfire answered the question from the viewer, hindsight 2020 I now think that she felt a sense of pride and Daniel that he had finally grown up. And at the exact same time she was reminded of the person she originally fell in love with. Not because she wants to reconcile, but because it’s the part of him that she’ll always love.
@Briana Rudy Actually, that was Daniel's plan from the very beginning when he found out that Miranda was putting an ad for housekeeping where he said that he will pick up the kids from school and they can stay in his apartment for a few hours (I'm sure Daniel would cook for them if they stayed with him) and then he said he will drop them off at Miranda's house and the kids said they loved that idea but Miranda refused saying "I'll think about it" which probably meant "no." If Miranda agreed to that plan, everything would have stayed normal with the two of them and I'm sure that would be the end of the movie right then and there.
@@Chrysobubulle it's not illegal to fake your own death first of all *unless you're doing it to scam government*.....also ....EPSTIEN trials....is a thing still....WHO knows..maybe Elvis and MJ are still alive just hiding in luxury while laughing at those targeted and involved in the programs.
I tend to see so many comments about how "dad's are undervalued," and "Miranda learned the kids needed their father," but the thing is both Daniel and Miranda had to grow and learn. In the beginning Daniel was a fun dad but not a great one. He learned to be a better father. And Miranda was able to get past her anger and see that.
The truth of the matter is is this movie is about two very different people who’s marriage no longer worked because they needed very different things. One needed to grow up, the other needed to be set free of having to take on all the responsibility. And it’s like Sally said in the scene (and I’m paraphrasing here), the divorce is over, it’s time to stop the who did what to who.
Yes, but one of them had to grow and learn by being legally barred from his own children. And the other saw no problem in keeping the children away from their own parent. Hardly an even playing field.
This ending was completely unexpected. My Mom and I watched the movie when it came out on home video. We didn't do theatres. We laughed ourselves silly during most of the movie, but the end. Omg I got on the sofa with her and we really cried and held hands and hugged. I'm crying right now because of this scene and my memories of it. I miss you Mommy.
That's a very touching story. I will always cherish the memories when my parents are gone. Both of my parents are alive, but my dad is at an age which many men in the family have died. So, I'm always thinking about those days.
Meaning it was more touching then you thought? or were you expecting Daniel and Miranda to get back together? They actually wanted to due that but Williams and Field were against it since they didn't wanna give kids the false hope that divorce always end up with a happy ending
Aww ❤️ thank you for sharing your sweet memory. My mom is also gone now and we saw it together. That's what great about these old great movies. You also remember who you were with when you first saw them ☺️❤️
Anyone else get teary hearing the "bye-bye" at the end? That is, if you're not already teary. It's almost like hearing Robin saying goodbye. We all miss you, Robin. ❤
Years later, and I STILL cry every time I watch this scene. It really is the perfect ending as far as the realism. Daniel and Miranda may not ever get back together, but they came to a peaceful resolution as far as the kids. Mrs. Doubtfire in the background narrating the whole scene with her gentle voice and amazing answer is absolutely BRILLIANT!
When I first watched this I was worried they were gonna get back together and have a happily ever after, I like that this approach is realistic but happy
It was originally scripted to end as that, but both Robin and Sally stepped in and said it would give kids false hopes when their coping divorces in their families. I think it ends on a different wholesome note, they both accept they can’t work as a couple, but they will always be there for their kids, and a bond like that brings back a friendship. Daniel and Miranda may not love each other again, but they will still see and think highly of each other because they both acknowledge they both are equally important to their children. I like to think of them as always happy and willing to share the room for their kids future birthdays, graduations, proms, even possibly weddings. Their marriage maybe over, but they both would remain on the best of terms, even might go as far as to share hugs or kisses on the cheek as they both get more comfortable with how their family is now.
@@dastemplar9681 it also states there are different families. Just because our parents aren't together anymore, it doesn't mean we don't have families. Mrs. Doubtfire mentions like for instance, some kids have foster families, single parent families, some kids live with aunt's and uncles. Some live with grandparents. Sometimes, two families live together. You'll always have family in your heart. I was one of those kids who lived with my grandparents during the 90s, so I love that they put that in there.
@@goldengirl5165 my family hasn’t been normal either, my mum and dad have been divorced since I was five and I was never sad about it, in fact I suggested it in the first place, family really is whatever we make it
Agreed, to me while it does end with something of an uplifting tone, there is still room for the audience to make up their own mind as to what happened down the road for Daniel, Miranda and the kids: did Daniel and Miranda make amends and get back together or, after much soul searching and another long talk, realize it was best for them to remain apart but be on good terms with each other.
It enraged me that it took the entire film for Miranda to realize this! She was almost as bad as Daniel, using the kids as revenge against Daniel. She had every right to be angry at him, he was an immature dope for 14 years....but you do NOT use children as revenge.
Daniel and Miranda were both wrong. He should've never gone against why she grounded Chris by throwing that party. A deleted scene explained that he was flunking three of his classes, and until he brought those grades up, there were going to be no birthday parties for him. Lydia even warned Daniel against his plans, knowing how angry Miranda would be later on. Instead of admitting that he screwed up and took responsibility by apologizing for his behavior, he blamed both her and Gloria for ruining everything. It took being divorced and Mrs. Doubtfire, for Daniel to finally understand how much he really hurt Miranda with his behavior. It was because of him neglecting his responsibilities as a parent in not disciplining his children and spoiling them that they all became entitled brats. It was through Mrs. Doubtfire that he learned to balance between being a fun-loving dad and a responsible parent. It took Miranda longer to understand how much she hurt her family. She was blinded by rage for so long that she ended up taking her anger out on Daniel and their children. Once Miranda saw the strides, he took to change his behavior and stay in their children's lives as Mrs. Doubtfire, she realizes that her behavior was wrong too and made things right.
“If there’s love, dear, those are the ties that bind. And you’ll have a family in your heart forever. All my love to you, poppet. You’re going to be all right. Bye-bye.” No wonder I haven’t watched this since he died. I’ve tried, but I can’t; it hurts too much. 💔 Love you, you wonderful man.
Tell me about it. When Robin Williams passed away, I couldn’t watch any of his movies or movies he was involved in for 6 years straight. He was my favorite actor. Thankfully I’m much better now and can now watch his movies with no problem. Even though we’ll all miss him for the rest of our lives, we sometimes need a laugh at his jokes every now and then and be reminded how wonderful of a person he truly was. I wish we the fans could have returned him the favor through social media and maybe let him know that he has people there for him when he was in depression.
@Jane Doh I'm sure he loves his new job as a mailman for the show instead of hosting a dinosaurs show which the cameramen and test audiences found boring.
@@ladyfire44 In some ways, with Daniel being caught dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire by Miranda helped him and Mr. Lundy together. It helped Daniel get his very own show and it helped Mr. Lundy come up with a great idea for a show. Plus, with Daniel getting drunk from drinking too much alcohol and returning back to Mr. Lundy's table as Mrs. Doubtfire helped Daniel and Mr. Lundy together at the same time.
@@Shanethefilmmaker I'm sure Mr. Sprinkles didn't have to be fired from the television studio if his job is in the television studio. There was a job opening for a shipping clerk and it was great that Mr. Sprinkles didn't take that job working for that grouch Tony.
Robin Williams was an actor the world needed he could make us laugh, remind us how silly things were and then he could bring it in nice and personal in a way that touched the viewers hearts and reminded us it was okay to enjoy those tender moments as well even if they weren't always fun.
I love that part. First time I saw it, I cried and cried. Robin Williams embodied each one of his characters. I wish someone had told HIM, it's going to be alright poppet.
My parents are divorced too, have been for 20 years. I just rewatched this movie for the first time in years, and I gotta admit, Mrs. Doubtfire’s speech about different families still hits me like a punch to the gut, even as an adult. Because even after all these years, I still want my family back
In the beginning of the movie, we see Daniel go to get the kids from school, and Daniels car * a Chevrolet Caprice Estate Wagon* was filthy. (This was even mentioned by Miranda in a deleted scene from the movie) but when it drove away in the last scene it was sparkling clean, kind of like showing that Daniel had really cleaned up his act and gotten himself together. - A nice touch.
Oh Mrs. Doubtfire, you brought a tear to my eye, Your words were not only true, but really moving. I believe it was best that Daniel and Miranda didn't get back together, they will be better people this way.
This is the perfect ending to a film. It teaches us, even outside of romance and family, that sometimes sad things happen in life and you can't change them. Some things change and you can never get them back to how it used to be. But you can still be happy and live a good life and move on even after a sad event or after a chapter in your life ends.
"Well tomorrow we'll have Frank, who is a make-up artist." Call me dumb for only realising it now, but it means they would've had their uncle on the show, if the kids had watched the next episode, as "Uncle Frank" and "Aunt Jack" did all the makeup for Daniel's transformationon. 😜
In high school I read a biography on Robin Williams (don't ask for the name I can't remember😅) and apparently when they were making this film the Studio wanted Miranda and Daniel to get back together in the end. The scriptwriter Randi Mayem Singer left the movie when she heard the studio was going to change her ending. Robin, who became divorced not that long before the movie, was also extremely against this change. He said he wanted this to be a film that showed children that parents can and do separate sometimes, and that it's okay. Luckily, the studio didn't like the new ending and asked Singer to come back.
Even Sally Field was against the original ending because it was too anti-climatic and she also was divorced at the time. The original ending was going to reveal Stu as the bad guy and Daniel confronts him for the maltreatment of his kids. Miranda sees Stu for the terrible person he is and dups him. Unlike in the ending we got, she never found out that he was Mrs. Doubtfire. Miranda notices a letter addressed to her on a coffee table in the living room. She starts reading it and Mrs. Doubtfire explains that she was only there to help the family reconcile. As much as she wanted to stay with Miranda and enjoyed their conversations, she knows she must leave to find another family in need of her help.
Just love your kids folks. That’s the ultimate message. No matter how you feel about each other now, try your best to set it aside. Put the kids first. My parents divorced when I was a baby, so I never had a memory of them together. My father was willfully absent most of my life, but I had a daddy (stepfather) who loved me as his own. I never wanted my kids to grow up without knowing their fathers (yes, been married more than once), but there’s only so much I can do about that. All I can do is make sure they know they are loved regardless or anything that happens. Make sure they know it has nothing to do with them, and it is their fathers losses in not knowing the wonderful people they are.
It's amazing how much of an impact this movie still has with me. There are countless movies with actors who have CGI perfected physiques, eye popping visual effects and adequate acting. This movie is a great story about pain, loss, immaturity, growth and acceptance of differences. Not every story has the perfect happy ending. Few do in life. I was nine years old when I saw this and am in my early 40s now. I still feel like I have growing up to do. I've asked my 80 year old mother if she feels like she's grown up and she laughed and said no. Life is about growing and changing up to the last second, and to this day this film reminds me of that.
I remember ten years ago, my Dad and I were watching this on Netflix. For some reason, after Daniel said "Is there anything I could do to get my parents back together?", my Dad said "No, there's absolutely nothing you can do. Your parents are both going to prison, and it's your fault." I don't know why he said that, but that was the most hilarious thing I heard.
@@ladyfire44 Yeah. Miranda didn't see how Daniel learned from the error of his ways at first because she was in total shock about how their beloved elderly nanny turned out to be her ex husband, and as the judge stated in court, it was a very unorthodox move. It was once she saw Daniel's new job as the host of a new program when she was able to fit that together with how firm and responsible he was as Mrs Doubtfire and she was now able to see how he became more responsible in general, and she was now able to raise the importance of that factor over the mere fact that he dressed as a woman pretending to someone else. That's why she went back to court to plead for joint custody. Miranda then even more so could see his self improvements once hearing Mrs Doubtfire's speech to that letter (as the kids rode off in Daniel's car). It's a great movie, and the main characters were each able to better themselves without making the movie to gooey.
I think not. This resolve is much better to show their children that just because Daniel and Miranda aren't together anymore, doesn't mean that they don't love their children any less.
Just came home from spending the weekend with my kids and like alot of times, I came into the house feeling very emotional. You see, me and their mom broke up some time ago. And yet we are still close. I still love her with all my heart and still wish were together but I've learned to accept things. And when we're all together it feels perfect, like the missing piece to a puzzle. This scene always helps with that because maybe things were supposed to be this way. The kids never had to listen to us bash one another or anything like that. Yea I didn't get what I truly wanted, a united family, but our love binds us. Maybe the pain never truly goes away completely but as long as you're at peace for the most part, you will be fine. I'm going to be fine. Sending my love to all the dads out there that struggle with this and rest in peace Robin Williams. This scene will always be special to me
This ending was bittersweet and made me cry. Mostly because it reminded me of my parents when they split up and they didn’t get back together again. Certainly was relatable and I accepted it’s ok.
I love this movie so much... my 2 favourites Robin Williams and pierce Brosnan. But most of all it is such a hilarious movie at the same time very emotional. Makes you laugh..Makes you cry. Teaches a lot esp about family. It stays with you long after youve watched it...
I never tire of this movie.. Im now 41 years old and it came out when I was 12! 😢 Its 100% relatable because more or less at the exact same time my folks sadly got divorced... time at the weekends for over 10 years or more was at my dads and his new Mrs. It was all very strong and mixed emotions very much so. Theres 4 of us siblings altogether. We've been through the mill. But this amazing masterpiece of a triumphant movie touches my heart all the time and really wells my eyes up with tears of laughter and sadness at the end. But its a happy ending because its real and millions of families have and are still going through turbulent break ups. All the characters in this movie were fantastic. ❤
She knew how miserable the kids were without Daniel in their lives and vice versa. Miranda owned up to her mistake and apologized to him at the studio. She had appealed to the judge to overturn his decision and allow Daniel to have joint custody of the children with no supervision.
@@ladyfire44 Miranda (possibly to the Judge): What Daniel did was very wrong your honor, but if you could find it in your heart to overturn your decision of the supervised Saturday visits that would mean a lot to Daniel and our children. Our children need their father and in turn he needs them. Judge: Very well, since Mrs. Hillard feels strongly about the situation of a need for a joint custody arrangement I will allow it. (Bangs gavel.) Daniel: Thank you your honor. Judge: You're welcome. Court adjourned.
As an individual who's parents divorced (amicably, if i may add) this hit me so so hard as i always wanted my parents to get back together and i would try every single trick in the book in order to keep my dad from going home, sitting on his leg, hiding his shoes, locking both doors and blocking them with something like a chair trying to get him to stay. Watching and hearing this helped me so much, i will always thank robin for that
No doubt about it, one of the most touching and uplifting films I’ve ever seen. No matter what’s happening in my life, thinking of this movie will bring me happiness. What a great story.
This scene makes more sense after watching the deleted after dinner at the restaraunt scene. Daniel didn't wanna come in and risk another round of "that" happening
@Alvex Ok She probably didn't figure it out until the end after getting failed attempts for a new housekeeper since the last applicant kept saying "I don't do this, I don't do that, etc." The way how Miranda figured it out when Lydia says she misses Mrs. Doubtfire's spaghetti, Chris misses her jokes, and Natalie misses her stories which means that the kids needed their father more when they were referring to Mrs. Doubtfire since Mrs. Doubtfire is their father.
It took the kids blaming Miranda for keeping Daniel out of their lives that made her realize that she was in the wrong the whole time. Thus, she went back to the judge and successfully convinced him to overturn his decision to allow Daniel joint custody with her. Miranda owned up to her mistake and apologized to him for what she done at the studio. While he took the kids out for the day, she watches a Mrs. Doubtfire reading a letter from Katie involving her parents' divorce. Miranda is touched because she realized that Daniel learned a lot of life lessons and could draw his own experiences from it.
@@ladyfire44 eh. I really feel like they both needed to learn. He learned how to actually *be* a father and not just a "fun dad". And she learned how to *let* him be a father. But that's just my perspective.
Currently dealing with a divorce in my immediate family with a 5 year old involved. I thought of this scene and now I’m sitting here crying. I love my nephew so much and I feel like things won’t be the same.
"Just because your parents don't love each other anymore doesn't mean that they don't love you" I can relate to that, especially coming from a divorced family. There was a time when I wanted my parents to get back together but it never happened. That depressed me for such a long time. But as I got older, I saw how happy they were when they were apart. Now my father's remarried, my mom's still single... But happy nonetheless. They never fought the way Daniel and Miranda did and they never put me and my brother in the middle when it came to joint custody. One of the things about this movie that spoke to me was the reality of living in a separated family but being able to find salvation through the sadness and confusion I had to endure since I was young.
The way that Natalie says “Just us” And Runs to Danielle and hugs him never fails to make me shed tears 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. R.I.P. Robbin Williams we miss you so much . You’re a comedic genius
That's what breaks my heart 💔 the most. The pain he felt through his laughter. His humor is a medicine for the rest of us. It makes me cry that I never met him. To talk to him and try to help him heal his pain. May he Rest In Peace 🕊️ in the grace that his life and legacy changed the world (my world) for the better. Rest in Peace Sweet Prince may flights of Angels carry thee to thy rest. 🕊️💜
It's a shame that he did. Because a sequel would've been nice. Since it never happened, it's hard to say how it would've been. My speculation is that it would've been a bit worse that this, but not bad.
One funny film movie. Truly miss Robin Williams. Lots talent in different film movies. Thank You 😊. Only Love That carry anyone No matter how life take you. Only one you truly can trust in your heart Forever. Great film movie. Thank you
Theres something about the Mrs Doubtfire character that truly makes you forget shes just Robin Williams in a bodysuit and make up. Shes just so pleasant.
Rip Mr Robin Williams thank you for bring so much laughter and love to every role you played. Mrs Doubtfire is my favorites you played. the end of this movie always makes me remember how much we are all loved. by our parents and other family members. how to share the love we have with everyone.
I actually sympathize with her now that I’m older they both needed to grow and she even days in the movie how she didn’t like who she was when she was with Daniel
This was such an amazing movie, it was hilarious but it had a great bittersweet ending with an amazing message. Not only that but that message isn't plot wasn't just comedy leading up to the ending either, he really became a better father and her a better mother through Mrs. Doubtfire.
I agree that the bittersweet ending was great. It ended exactly as it should have. Its ironic though that Daniel always had it in him to be a proper parent, hence his being Mrs. Doubtfire... that was all he had to do to stay happily-married....yet it took nearly the ENTIRE film & even after hearing Miranda say she was happier without him....he STILL tried to thwart her relationship! I'm glad they made peace & he was a kind dad but I would not want Daniel as my husband.
If it's one thing I have observed from my friends that have divorced parents, or friends that are divorced with children, a couple things I know is that despite not being together anymore, regardless it's still a family; even with the definition of "co-parenting", it's still parenting and working together to raise their kids, just adjusted. May not be the "idealistic way", but they try to make it work. And, no matter what, if it's one thing the divorced couples can agree on, it's their children. Setting aside their differences and not making their kids choose sides, the important thing is that the kids need both of them. So to my friends that have divorced parents, you guys turned out great. And to my friends that are divorced, you guys are doing a great job.
This scene is great for two reasons where the first reason is that Daniel is not working for Tony anymore who was an arrogant grouch that didn't supervise Daniel too well and called him a "Smart Ass" on his first day. The second reason is that as Daniel and his kids are getting in the car together hearing his Mrs. Doubtfire voice in the background (of course, I know he just finished that show episode as Mrs. Doubtfire and headed to get his kids after the episode finished filming), it shows that he's finished with his job for the day and is all ready to go out doing something fun with the kids like take them out to a restaurant (maybe even "Bridges" as long as he didn't get banned when the staff and customers saw him dressed as a woman) or out for ice cream or to the movie theater.
He got his own show which is successful and made both him and Lundy more money. I bet Tony's watching the Mrs. Doubtfire show and is thinking "Why didn't I listen to his ideas instead of criticizing him?".
@@ladyfire44 That's right. In some ways that it was great that Daniel was called to be invited to "Bridges" as himself and as Mrs. Doubtfire on the same day and time and it was great he was caught being dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire because that helped Mr. Lundy get an idea for a children's show since everyone hated the dinosaur show. Also yes I agree, Tony was probably feeling guilty for the way he talked to Daniel. However, I don't remember Daniel giving Tony ideas on things. The only things I remember was when Daniel first met Tony, Tony sounded very rude and didn't shake his hand and he didn't supervise Daniel well by only saying "take these cans and box and ship them, and then more will come in and then box and ship them" and then he said "any questions" where Daniel said "what do you do after boxing them?" and Tony said with arrogance, "you ship them, lots of luck smart ass" where Daniel said "I made a friend" which meant "he's a rude boss." If I was Daniel, instead of saying "what do you do after boxing them" I would have said "where are the boxes, is there tape to tape them up, and is there an address that have to be shipped too?" because all Tony said was to box and ship them. The only other thing I remember Tony saying to Daniel while Daniel was watching a dinosaur show talking to Mr. Lundy where Tony said "Hillard, get your ass to the truck that shipment has to make a 6:00 flight to Los Angeles." I'm sure it was cutting it close but he didn't have to be rude to Daniel where he could have said "Hillard, you have to quickly load the truck for the shipment and then you can talk to Mr. Lundy." But yes, maybe Tony felt terrible for talking rudely to him after seeing Daniel as a popular actor now.
One of my favorite movies as a kid. My sisters and I loved watching it, we thought it was so funny. After my parents divorce, the ending certainly hits differently. It's very bittersweet, but really ties the whole movie together
1:16 I love how they make a point in showing that the dinosaur guy was not fired from the channel altogether, and instead was given a supporting role in Mrs. Doubtfire's show.
I was lucky, my parents never divorced, my dad passed away when I was young. No less painful, but anyway. Still this scene gets me every time; to see a family heal at least in part. I like to believe many years down the road after the movie Daniel and Miranda do get back together, maybe not remarry but become a steady couple again; or maybe they remarry. they remember why they got married in the first place and decide to give it another try and this time it last, not just for the kids, but for themselves.
i often think about how weird would be to be a kid in this world. you watch mrs. doubtfire every day and then you find she was some guy dressed as a grandma as opposed to, you know, an actual woman
Love this movie, this scene especially. Wish my parents had split alot earlier than they eventually did. It breaks kids seeing their parents at each other's throat all the time. Rest in peace Robin, may the angels hold you in their light.
The thing every kid worries about. Parents breaking up or dying. I'm fortunate enough to grow up with both parents, but I was always scared that they would break up bc they use to get into arguments very often.
“Oh, my dear Katie. You know, some parents, when they're angry, they get along much better when they don't live together. They don't fight all the time, and they can become better people, and much better mummies and daddies for you. And sometimes they get back together. And sometimes they don't, dear. And if they don't, don't blame yourself. Just because they don't love each other anymore, doesn't mean that they don't love you. There are all sorts of different families, Katie. Some families have one mommy, some families have one daddy, or two families. And some children live with their uncle or aunt. Some live with their grandparents, and some children live with foster parents. And some live in separate homes, in separate neighborhoods, in different areas of the country - and they may not see each other for days, or weeks, months... or even years at a time. But if there's love, dear... those are the ties that bind, and you'll have a family in your heart, forever. All my love to you poppet, you're going to be alright... bye bye.” I don’t think there is a monologue in any film that hits me the same way this one does, because it is the perfect answer to any child who is dealing with the issues of divorcing parents, split households or alternative guardians. It’s a beautiful speech to give them hope.
The response was from his talk with her when they had tea together. I think it touched her. This is Beautiful when i was a kid i wanted them back together but now as an adult. I can understand it.
I guess there’s an important theme to this movie: Parents grow apart sometimes. And when divorce happens, it’s best to know that it’s never a child’s fault when parents argue or have grownup problems they can’t fix. So when that happens, it’s their job to let their kids know that everything will turn out for the better in the end