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Mr. Mom

Play trailer Poster for Mr. Mom PG Released Jul 22, 1983 1h 31m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 26 Reviews 57% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
During the 1980s recession, automobile engineer Jack (Michael Keaton) is fired from his job. When his wife, Caroline (Teri Garr), finds a job before he does, they switch roles, placing him in the unfamiliar position of homemaker and caretaker to their three children. He embarks upon a series of misadventures, from navigating grocery store trips to playing poker games with housewives. Jack and Caroline must figure out the intricacies of their new roles while maintaining their relationship.
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Mr. Mom

Mr. Mom

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Critics Consensus

Mr. Mom makes up for its stereotype-driven premise with a sweet script and charming work from a well-matched cast led by Michael Keaton and Teri Garr.

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Critics Reviews

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Diane Shipley Bitch Media Reinforcing traditional gender roles is the entire point of 1983's Mr Mom. Jan 14, 2021 Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times They had a great idea here. It's too bad they didn't follow it through on a human level, instead of making it feel made up and artificial and twice-removed, from the everyday experience it pretends to be about. Rated: 2/4 Oct 23, 2004 Full Review Nell Minow Movie Mom Sit-com material, ably done, with Keaton's off-kilter delivery a highlight. Rated: 3/5 Aug 7, 2003 Full Review Josh Larsen LarsenOnFilm ... a slapstick consideration of gender roles in the early 1980s. Rated: 2.5/4 Sep 6, 2024 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand It’s an interesting time capsule and a funny family comedy, even if it reworks 1950s sitcom stereotypes for 1980s suburbia. Jan 7, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Mr. Mom rarely rises above the level of a polished TV sitcom, and the notion of a stay-at-home dad, treated here as The Craziest Idea Ever!, had already taken root by 1983. Still, it's hard to resist Keaton in this seemingly tailor-made role. Rated: 2.5/4 Oct 11, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Todd B It's an awesome, when you have to have to help the wife out, and switch roles in the household and workforce. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/10/24 Full Review Chris G As a divorced Dad raised by a widowed Dad, I just found this movie offensive. Sure, societal norms were different in 1983 than they are now, but this was at best a caricature of a stereotypical uninvolved, incapable father far below even those earlier standards. In one early grocery store scene, he was confused by all the types of cheese, embarrassed to buy feminine products, and unaware that he had the wrong kids. I turned it off at this point, because even if the movie redeems the character, I didn't want to sit through any more of this painful drivel. Also, the production value was low even for the time. It felt like the story was just roughly outlined and everyone was constantly yelling out whatever lines they could make up on the spot. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 10/03/24 Full Review Jeff M I worshipped this movie as a pre-teen, and it would likely be among the ten most watched films of my HBO adolescence. So it was a rather painful experience for me to watch it 35 years later and not thinking it all that funny anymore. Sure, some of the sight gags still hold up, particularly Keaton's first visit to the grocery store, and the brilliant comedic talents of both Keaton and Garr make it quite watchable. I think this film is just an unfortunate victim of how the times have changed. And maybe over the course of the last few decades I've seen too many similar movies that have lessened the impact of the original. (This is definitely the case for me with another childhood favorite - ET). It now feels like an overlong sitcom, particularly considering some of the supporting actors involved. This time around, I was actually more taken with Garr's storyline and found her much more interesting and subtly funny than before. Perhaps it's because she seems more grounded in reality. I still think this is a movie that the young kids of today will love, and there's definitely a bit of nostalgia still to be found for the rest of us. But I was honestly a bit bummed. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/24 Full Review Jason W Classic 80s comedy with Michael Keaton. Saw it recently and still just as funny today as yesterday. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Who says a man can't do what a woman does on a daily basis? Director Stan Dragotti with Michael Keaton and Terri Garr Jack Butler lives a great life as a husband and a loving father Unfortunately he gets fired from his auto industry job But he gets the better end of the deal it seems His wife is off traveling for her job while Jack is a stay-at-home dad He's juggling the kids, cooking, cleaning etc. Can he handle it though? He spends more time hanging with all the female neighbors all whom are divorcees The film has a lot of 1980s sensibilities riffing on stereotypical gender expectations from the 1950s Keaton as Jack has plenty of moments where he's unhinged and it succeeds since this launched his whole career Even his wife is oblivious to the clutter he feels inside yet she wants to succeed career wise This contains a nice warm simplicity and that the gender reversals have adverse side effects on both parties The movie is more sitcom material than anything but still a very pleasant watch Rated 4 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review Erik B Typical John Hughes look at a slice of 1980's middle-American life; always enjoyable. Where's my Wubby?!? Rated 4 out of 5 stars 05/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Mr. Mom

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Mr. Mom

Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Shopping with the Kids Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Shopping with the Kids 3:00 Mr. Mom: Official Clip - My Brain Is Like Oatmeal Mr. Mom: Official Clip - My Brain Is Like Oatmeal 1:56 Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Canned Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Canned 1:46 Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Chainsaw Jack Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Chainsaw Jack 1:54 Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Jack Versus the Appliances Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Jack Versus the Appliances 2:37 Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Diaper Change Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Diaper Change 0:22 Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Jack Throws the Race Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Jack Throws the Race 2:55 Mr. Mom: Official Clip - The Company Party Mr. Mom: Official Clip - The Company Party 1:58 Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Coupon Poker Mr. Mom: Official Clip - Coupon Poker 1:53 Mr. Mom: Official Clip - A Stand-Up Guy Mr. Mom: Official Clip - A Stand-Up Guy 2:19 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis During the 1980s recession, automobile engineer Jack (Michael Keaton) is fired from his job. When his wife, Caroline (Teri Garr), finds a job before he does, they switch roles, placing him in the unfamiliar position of homemaker and caretaker to their three children. He embarks upon a series of misadventures, from navigating grocery store trips to playing poker games with housewives. Jack and Caroline must figure out the intricacies of their new roles while maintaining their relationship.
Director
Stan Dragoti
Producer
Lynn Loring, Lauren Shuler Donner
Screenwriter
John Hughes
Production Co
Sherwood Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 22, 1983, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 7, 2016
Runtime
1h 31m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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