Tootsie and Mrs. Doubtfire are two distinct films that share a lot of things in common. Specifically, both movies are about two desperate men who will do anything to get what they need with the resources they have on hand. They both take place in the world of the acting industry where the going gets tough, unemployment is a given and relationships are under constant strain.
Both decide to dress as women to achieve a means to an end. And what ensues? Dramatic, comedic and revealing interpretations and situations. While both are incredibly similar, only one can reign supreme. Here are 5 reasons Tootsie is better than Mrs. Doubtfire and 5 more in defense of the opposite.
10 TOOTSIE: The Reality Of The Acting Industry
The opening scenes for Tootsie are quite interesting. They show the reality of the main character, Michael Dorsey, and his futile efforts at auditioning for roles in the acting industry, as well as teaching acting and working in a restaurant to get by. In fact, most of the auditions are taken from real experiences that Dustin Hoffman had.
No one will hire Michael Dorsey because of his reputation for being difficult, providing his motive for transforming into a woman. This insight gives viewers a look into the stress of the industry, the support system that's needed to survive the failures and rejections, and looming unemployment.
9 MRS. DOUBTFIRE: The Supporting Cast
Mrs. Doubtfire wasn't a success simply because of the entertaining and heartfelt plot. It was a success because of the incredible casting. Actors that could bring the drama as well as the comedy. 007's Pierce Brosnan was the handsome and charming rival to Robin Williams's character, threatening to become a part of his family and steal his children's affections.
While Sally Field graced the screen as their mother on the other side of the custody battle. And who could forget the children? Each actor and actress brought such humanity and emotion to the plight that was fighting for family.
8 TOOTSIE: Dustin Hoffman's Performance
Tootsie became such a success because of the performance of its actors. There have been all kinds of movies where one actor plays multiple people, whether it means actually putting on prosthetics or a mind-body switch where they have to behave like the other person.
But Tootsie is a one of a kind performance. Dustin Hoffman is so realistic as a woman that the audience actually has to remember that Michael and Dorothy are two different people. That Dorothy isn't a real person in the universe of the film but a character created by a character actor and nothing more.
7 MRS. DOUBTFIRE: Robin Williams's Performance
One of the stunning aspects of Robin Williams's performances is his ability to play with and expand the limitations of acting. To improvise and create depth without the need for a set script. Perhaps one of the most memorable scenes from Mrs. Doubtfire is when Daniel is asked by Mrs. Sellner whether he has any skills. Daniel replies, "I do voices."
The montage that follows is a compilation of Robin Williams's voice acting skills and a great impression of a hotdog. The audience is given another look at how versatile his voices are when he calls his wife as different people applying to the job as a nanny.
6 TOOTSIE: The Impact It Had On The Actors
There was a time when Dustin Hoffman could fool people in real life that he was Dorothy, the feisty middle-aged Hospital Administrator with the Southern accent. And he was never looked at twice.
He said he had missed so many opportunities to have conversations with interesting women because they were considered the "Dorothys;" incredible women who are overlooked because of physical expectations. When the time came to act as Dorothy, Dustin gave the audience the most realistic and true to life performance he could give.
5 MRS. DOUBTFIRE: The Transformation Process
Something Mrs. Doubtfire gives the viewers which is missed in Tootsie is the process of transformation. Yes, Tootsie incorporates the outfit decisions and the slow progression of Michael Dorsey actually becoming Dorothy through his daily choices and mentality which is extremely effective.
But Mrs. Doubtfire had the entertaining makeover scene with its musical theatricality, its drama, and comedy. It gave the audience other possibilities about what could have been and how difficult it is to fit a voice character to physical appearance. It highlighted how many helping hands it truly takes to create such a drastic physical change.
4 TOOTSIE: The Shock Of The Reveal
No one saw it coming. It was the complete whim of the character. It was brilliant. Michael Dorsey incorporated his reveal into the Soap that he was filming. He went off-script like he usually does, making the set crew scramble to adjust their filming methods.
Except this time, they were live: "For I am not Emily Kimberly, the daughter of Dwayne and Alma Kimberly. No, I'm not. I'm Edward Kimberly, the recluse brother of my sister Anthea. Edward Kimberly, who has finally vindicated his sister's good name. I am Edward Kimberly. Edward Kimberly. And I'm not mentally ill, but proud, and lucky, and strong enough to be the woman that was the best part of my manhood. The best part of myself."
He strung the audience along and had them as shocked as the people he had deceived.
3 MRS. DOUBTFIRE: The Comedy Of The Reveal
While Tootsie had everyone shocked, Mrs. Doubtfire set up the reveal in the most excruciating way. Two dinner plans, two different people he had to be, and one shared restaurant on the same night. What a nightmare. Everyone knew something bad was going to happen, it was just a matter of when.
And when Daniel put pepper on Stu's dish, it just about solidified the fact that the night was not going to end well. A choking Stu was saved by Mrs.Doubtfire whose mask just couldn't handle the impact and effort needed to get the job done.
2 TOOTSIE: Addressing Women's Rights
One of the most memorable quotes from Tootsie was said by Michael Dorsey as himself, "I was a better man with you as a woman than I ever was with a woman as a man." Tootsie explored the reality of women so directly and bluntly that it was refreshing to watch, a film that addressed gender norms head-on.
Michael as Dorothy created positive change. He addressed when she was called pet names instead of her name and gave her character on the Soap grit and feisty comebacks instead of the sappy lines given to her. She experienced advances that weren't welcome and was almost sexually assaulted by a co-worker, telling his friend who shook it off lightly. Michael realized that being Dorothy allowed him to access the parts of him that he had suppressed because of gender norms.
1 MRS. DOUBTFIRE: Addressing Family
Daniel's reason for becoming Mrs.Doubtfire was to spend time with his family. When giving an address to the Judge, he said "I'm addicted to my children, sir. I love them with all my heart, and the idea of someone telling me I can't be with them, I can't see them every day... it's like someone saying I can't have air. I can't live without air, and I can't live without them." And when his pitch for a show with a hip old lady made it on air, Mrs. Doubtfire gave this message to the audience:
"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... 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."
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