Mrs. Doubtfire: More than a Disguise

Mrs. Doubtfire was released in 1993 and told the story of Daniel Hillard, an impulsive actor who consistently makes ones poor decision after another. 

After his wife, Miranda, finds him throwing a party for their son after she explicitly stated that he could not have a party. Miranda decides to file for divorce due to the fact that Daniel is a poor disciplinarian. Daniel has a plan to continue to see his children daily by dressing up an elderly woman and applying for a job as their nanny.

I analyzed this paper using Burke’s pentadic cycle. Using this method means I looked at the act, agent, agency, scene, and purpose in order to understand Daniel’s motives. The act of this film was Daniel’s lack of responsibility because this is the overarching reason why Miranda is divorcing him. The agents involved would be Daniel and Mrs. Doubtfire; although they are essentially the same person, Daniel gives Mrs. Doubtfire her own personality and story. Miranda adores Mrs. Doubtfire and finds her to be everything that her and the children need. The agency is the fact that Daniel dresses up as a nanny. Without this disguise, he would not have been able to secure a position as a nanny for his children; this would not have developed the skills to make him a better parent. There is not one particular scene in this film. Many important events happen and different location. However, the most important scenes are the home that him and Miranda once shared, his apartment, and the restaurant. Finally, the purpose is that Daniel does all of this just to be closer to his children.

Now that the elements are identified the motive will be determined using a ratio. Agent/agency is an appropriate ratio for this film because Daniel only becomes a better parent after disguising as a woman. This disguise helped Daniel in a number of ways because he learned how to manage responsibilities and because stabilized by securing a job and renting an apartment. Mrs. Doubtfire tamed Daniel’s inner child and helped him become less impulsive.  In the end, Daniel and Miranda do not get back together but are able to recognize Daniel’s progress and he is reunited with his children.