Movie Review: Mr. Mom (1983)

Also Known As: Mr. Mum  

Genre: Comedy  

Director: Stan Dragoti  

Starring: Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, Martin Mull, Ann Jillian  
Running Time: 91 minutes  

Synopsis: When Detroit automotive engineer Jack Butler (Michael Keaton) is laid off, his wife Caroline (Teri Garr) leaves behind her stay-at-home life and enters the workforce at an advertising firm. Jack faces a steep learning curve caring for their three kids and running the household, and attracts the lustful attention of neighbour Joan (Ann Jillian). Meanwhile Caroline excels at her job, but also becomes the romantic target of her boss Ron (Martin Mull).

What Works Well: With Michael Keaton and Teri Garr carrying the easy harmony of established couplehood, the John Hughes script gives equal opportunities for mom and dad to discover the hazards on other side of front yard fence. Comedy is the primary objective, and enough jokes and funny sequences find their target to maintain a steady stream of fun, with vacuum cleaner "Jaws" a highlight. But the semi-serious commentary about Jack finding pride in housework registers, as does Caroline's journey through the thrills and dangers of the corporate world.

What Does Not Work As Well: For an engineer, Jack sure does stupid well, managing to wreck a supermarket and a house with mindless effort. Some of the failed humour attempts are from the bottom slapstick drawer, while the visual style does not stray far from television movie-of-the-week fare.

Key Quote:

Caroline (to her kids): Look guys, take it easy on daddy. Remember, he's a rookie.



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