I’m pretty sure that I’m living this movie every day already, which only makes it more funny. – Will
Jack loses his job and his wife Caroline goes back to work in advertising. This leaves Jack at home to deal with his 3 kids and a job he isn’t used to…. being Mom!
Directed by – Stan Dragoti
Written by – John Hughes
Starring – Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, Fredrick Koehler, Taliesin Jaffe, Courtney White, Brittany White, Martin Mull, Ann Jillian, Jeffrey Tambor, Christopher Lloyd, Tom Leopold, Graham Jarvis, Carolyn Seymour, Michael Alaimo, Valri Bromfield
I’ve always enjoyed Mr. Mom but now that I actually am Mr. Mom the movie was even more relatable and funny. When I was younger it seemed so ridiculous and over the top with Michael Keaton unable to even cook properly, eventually falling into the habit of watching soap operas and taking the easy way out to get things done. I have to say that being home with my own kids for a few years now has probably caused me to do the same things. I’ve never tried to warm up a grilled cheese with an iron but I’ve had days where it would have helped.
I guess it’s just been 80′s retro time around here with The Burbs, The Money Pit and now Mr. Mom, which I followed up with Gung Ho of course. There is something about 80′s comedies that I love. I’m not sure what it is exactly but I find them more entertaining and funny than 99% of the comedies I watch now. Maybe it’s the good feeling you get from watching something from your youth or maybe it’s the fact that they’re actually funny. All I know is that I’m loving the trip down memory lane right now. Mr. Mom rates high on my list of movies I love, even if I never realize it until the last minute. It’s been a film that I’ve revisited on a few occasions and when I start thinking about 80′s comedies it’s always one of the first ones I think of.
A great scene where Jack tries to convince Caroline's new boss that he's all man.
Originally I enjoyed this one for its memorable scenes. The chainsaw scene shown in that pic above, the crazed washing machine, drying the baby’s butt with a hand dryer in the bathroom, Jack trying to figure out the entrance/exit policy at school, the grocery shopping scene, and on and on. There’s so many. Having watched this movie now I still love the memorable scenes but they strike a different chord. My kid’s school has the same type of driveway, one way in and one way out and I’ve cursed out many people going the wrong way much like happens to poor Jack in the movie. Is it also ironic that as I write this review I have to keep running up the stairs because the kids are in the bath?
"Jaws ain't got shit on me!"
I have to admit that this flick was a little less laugh out loud funny than some of the previous ones I’ve watched. What it has become is a very funny comedy that is more relevant to my own situation. Thankfully I’ve only got two kids and not three and I’m well past the point of changing dirty diapers. If I have one problem with this movie it’s how Teri Garr’s character is portrayed. She was the mom at home with the kids and as the movie plays out she begins to have major guilt about not being the one at home. It seems like a rather straight approach to the ‘mom’ character. She should be the one at home with the kids and dad should be the one out there making the money.
I’d love to say that times have changed but they haven’t. When I first got separated and had the kids living with me, every government agency automatically assumed that the kids lived with their mother. In fact, people in general still seem shocked when they find out I’m the single dad at home with the kids. While Keaton’s character eventually embraces his role at home with the kids, in the end everything goes back to ‘normal’ when Caroline quits her job and Jack gets his back keeping their stereotypical gender roles safe for another day. I guess that’s digging pretty deep to find something wrong with a movie isn’t it! HAHA! I mean, if that’s the biggest problem with the flick it’s probably safe to say that everyone can enjoy it.
Under the marquee – Will
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I haven’t seen this movie since Teri Garr was relevant, but, in regards to your 80′s comedy enjoyment, I’ve noticed that 80′s comedies are a tad more risque with the dick and shit jokes.
Really? I would think that some of the comedies now were much more risque. There does seem to be more nudity in the 80′s comedies though, lots of teen flicks back then I guess.
Yeah, it was surprising to me too. Just check out the level of raunch in most if not all John Hughes movies……
next time you get around a john hughes movie —pre home alone — check out the level of raunchitude: some implied, some blatant. Or even Tom Hanks pre-Burbs……..Bachelor Party, Dragnet…..Plus, anything with Dan Devito
My memory is pretty foggy on a lot of those flicks but I always thought that the raunch was more innuendo while now it’s just right in your face. Either way I still think that 80′s comedies are the place to be!
One of my favorites. When he gets addicted to Soap Operas I die, and the part where he goes to the strip club. During the 80′s it was a bigger deal for Dad to stay at home, now luckily in evolved times it’s awesome for Dad to be at home. I think it’s awesome you have so much time with your kids Will.
HAHAHA! The strip club, that was priceless. I think my favorite part is the vacuum cleaner heading towards the kid as the Jaws theme plays.
Hmm, my kids are always complaining that I spend too much time on the computer! They’re probably just grumpy that they can’t be on it!
Liam was just yelling at me for not going back on the Trampoline with him even though I spent the afternoon playing on it, reading books, and writing and drawing with him. He woke me up at five today, and just dozed off on the floor at my feet. I tired him out! Ha! At least I get my computer time.
Man, I wish I could tire my kids out but I’m so out of shape that I’m the one who gets tired out. Today has been uber computer day for me, shooting emails back and forth and making phone calls. I’m thinking that it’s almost time to shut down and relax!
I also wish I had a trampoline!
Email is so ez on the comp, try playing The Sims with a 19 month old trying to get your attention — what’s the deal? This kid’s gotta eat like every day?
(j/k I feed him at least once a day)
Once I had children I gave up on playing vids when they were around at all. The moment that you start doing anything that requires a little concentration they decide to ask you every question that has ever been on their mind. And yeah, why do they have to eat every day???? HAHA!
Never seen this film. But the poster is something. Her missing legs..and .. do they live in a public bathroom?
That poster is a masterpiece of early photoshop skills or something eh? HAHA! You’re missing out by not seeing Mr. Mom. Watching it would even make the poster make more sense!