User reviews

Going into this film, I expected some trite family comedy with a lot of cheap gags involving things like the normal guy trying to change diapers. That's why I was really impressed. I enjoyed it a lot! This movie proves why it's a shame that Michael Keaton has turned to "Michael Who?" in the eyes of Hollywood. I hope to God he doesn't start doing direct-to-video crap like some once-popular actors. He is a true talent with impeccable comic timing!

The script is well-written. Though you can call it predictable, it deserves to be predictable. Besides, the plot turns make sense in the context of the characters, and don't feel contrived. The film delivers a fine message without suffocating you with corny sentiment. And Keaton's wonderful performance keeps the film airtight.

There are many hilarious moments. The gag in which Keaton plays poker with a group of homemakers, using coupons instead of money, is absolutely priceless! Plus, I felt for the characters and when you feel for the characters, the jokes are always funnier. When Keaton gets himself into one dilemma after another, I was laughing because I felt sorry for him, and that's the key to physical comedy. You have to care for the character's intentions.

"Mr. Mom" is a funny, sweet, kind-hearted family comedy that doesn't cater to any particular age group. At first glance, it looks an anti-parenting film that manipulates us guys into thinking, "Geez, I'm never gonna have a kid." But as Keaton's character goes through his arc, your attitude changes along with his. Go see it! A truly entertaining movie that's likable in all aspects!

My score: 8 (out of 10)

This is a funny movie. And, not very many comedies can say that - most unfortunately. Michael Keaton was great. I'm not a big Teri Garr fan, but she was more than adequate as a second banana in the film.

If you have no children, are a man, and have never had to raise any children even for a weekend, then you will certainly appreciate this movie. Everyone should appreciate it, but those of us who have never had the "pleasure" of changing a diaper will probably identify the most.

I cannot imagine how this movie only got a 6.1 on IMBD. I have never known anyone who did not enjoy it.

Mr. Mom is, yet again, one of those movies that I have been watching since I was a kid. This is one of Michael Keaton's best movies I think, forget Night Shift and all that. Keaton's greatest strength is comedy. Mr. Mom is well put together, is always funny, and never lags. It does a brillant job of protraying role reversal and the rest of the cast makes this movie a joy to watch. Everyone is good, singling someone out for special praise is unnecessary. I hate kids in movies but I loved the kids in this one. It's because they are not annoyingly cute or naughty or too sweet, they're just normal kids. Bottom Line: This is a great movie and every movie fan and family should have it on the shelf.

Of all comedies that I have seen in my 23 years, "Mr. Mom" has got to be one of the best and funniest of them all. I have been a fan of this movie since I was about 4 years old! To be exact, I think I taped three different copies on cable and network until I bought it on video and finally on DVD!

Michael Keaton plays Jack Butler, who, along with several co-workers, loses his job at an auto plant due to layoffs. To make ends meet, wife Caroline (Teri Garr) gets a job at an advertising agency, and he stays home with the kids. Easy, right? Absolutely not! From out of control vacuum cleaners, washing machines and toasters, to the neighborhood ladies, including Joan (Ann Jillian), who has her eye on Jack, running the household is horrendous. On top of this, Caroline is climbing the corporate ladder. But success comes with a price in the form of long hours, travel, and persistence from boss Ron (Martin Mull), who sets his sights on Caroline. Can Jack and Caroline keep the family together despite these woes?

It is my belief that "Mr. Mom" is one of the best comedies of all time, and features Michael Keaton and Teri Garr at their best. People of all ages should see this movie. It shows how successful familial role revearsals have the power to be, and demonstrates how to challenge previous stereotypes about career and family. A great film not to be missed!

I spotted this on streaming last night and hadn't seen it in 30 years so I figured why not. And I wasn't disappointed, it still holds up pretty well, mostly.

The gags are still pretty solid, as long as you actually realise that they're 40 years old and definitely not the same as today's movie humour, with the only real culture shock is when Caroline walks into the pitch meeting and EVERYONE is smoking, and the air is thick with cigarette smoke. It's easy to forget now that back in the 80s was a very different time in that regard, as well as so many others.

Michael Keaton's and Teri Garr's performances hold up well, Jeffrey Tambor is his usual dryly funny self, Martin Mull is great, it was kind of a surprise to see Christopher Lloyd not really looking that much different to how he does now except a little less wrinkled and darker-haired. It was also a bit of a shock to realise that the youngest of the two boys was played by Taliesin "Percy" Jaffe!

All in all though it's still a good, solid watch even these 40 years later.

Simple-minded fun is ensured from this charmingly light-hearted suburban family comedy penned by John Hughes, produced by Aaron Spelling and starring the likes of Michael Keaton (after his break through performance in "Night Shift" the year before), Terri Garr and the comic actor Martin Mull. There's just something about "Mr. Mom", while it didn't have me in stitches it seemed to be a pleasant farce which remains quite likable with its repetitive, if accidental gags caught in real life situations (some being over dramatised e.g. the sitcom daydream sequences to enliven the humour) and the daily chores that fill a housewife's cycle. Keaton is a good sport finding him in plenty of red-faced and grinding situations that soon begin to affect his mental state of mind. Keaton balances the right moods in an amusingly bright turn and goes on to prove how well of a versatile actor he was. When the tables are turned for Garr's character… that's when she comes out with a wholesomely good performance and a fine show-in by Mull as her smarmy boss. Also in small parts are Jeffrey Tambor and Christopher Lloyd. Stan Dragoti's breezy direction lets it unfold and Hughes gimmicky material is quite snappy with its banter, but satirical with its vision (despite the silly slapstick) without losing any of its warm-hearted appeal.

The family man Jack Butler (Michael Keaton) is happily married and lives with his beloved wife Caroline Butler (Teri Garr) and their children Alex, Kenny and Megan in a suburb of Detroit. Jack is an engineer that works in an automobile factory with his friends Stan (Tom Leopold) and Larry (Christopher Lloyd) and they go to the work in car pool with their boss Jinx (Jeffrey Tambor). When Jack loses his job, Caroline looks for a job and finds in the advertising agency that belongs to Ron Richardson (Martin Mull). Soon Caroline succeeds in holding an important account in the agency and climbs positions and responsibilities. Meanwhile Jack learns how hard the household chores and childcare are.

"Mr. Mom" is a funny 1983 film made in the period of the 1980´s recession and foresees the beginning of the decline of the Detroit´s automobile industry. The plot has many clichés but is entertaining and hilarious. Michael Keaton and Teri Garr show chemistry and have great performances. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Dona de Casa por Acaso" ("Housekeeper by Chance")

Early 80's was a time for big change in the employment world: the one-company-for-life era which prevailed from post-WWii to 1980, was over. Guys got fired or laid off in cost-cutting measures. The car business was in steep decline & 'lifers' suddenly found themselves out of work. This happens to poor Jack Butler (M Keaton), an engineer at a Production Plant, called off the Assembly Line-- and canned.

Wife Caroline, Terri Garr (still young, thin & pretty in /82) gets hired by a smirking Lothario who runs an ad agency. Jack is stuck with the 3 kids, grocery shopping & housework. Mr. Mom!

I saw this at the cinema just after exiting a career in Finance & retooling for a job in Computers, the next big thing.

Great, funny performances by our 2 leads & a fine supporting cast. An amusing period piece about job loss 'in the old days.' (1980!) How green was our valley then?

This movie was so funny. It's about a guy who gets laid off and his wife ends up getting a job and he has to stay home with his kids.It really funny how he starts to act like a mom. He starts to hang out with ladies and has a really hard time with things around the house. He even starts to watch soap operas. It's a really funny movie.

This is the Michael Keaton we all know and love.

The nice guy, the lovable slob, the lug who tries to do the good thing but messes up one detail or another then gets it right by the end.

"Mr. Mom" makes his frantic antics the highlight as he loses his job in an auto plant just as his wife (Garr) gets one at an advertising firm. He's then left to do things Dad's way, kids and all.

Most guys (most, I said) know how to operate household appliances and read the directions on the laundry detergent. But there are guys who just have to do it there way to show it can be done...even if it can't. And in Keaton's case, it can't. And he proves that more than once here.

He's the whole movie, basically; the macho can-do guy trying his best not to let the piles of housework, shopping, school routes (south to drop off, north to pick up) and daily advice from other housewives get him down. And John Hughes' script is subtle and fun; this was long before he watched too many cartoons, mind you.

In the end, all is well in the average American household and Keaton, Garr and Hughes demonstrate once and for all that, guys, it doesn't kill you to pick up after yourselves once in a while.

Seven stars for "Mr. Mom" - eight if you like "The Young and the Restless".

Mr. Mom takes a stumbling idiot of a man and makes him into the perfect stay-at-home-dad.

Jack (Michael Keaton) was a capable engineer for a car company in Michigan until he was laid off. His wife, Caroline (Teri Garr), was able to find a job before him leaving him home to take care of the house and the kids. Apparently he had the intelligence just above a single cell amoeba because he couldn't do anything around the house. This wasn't an attempt to illustrate his masculinity because when he pretended to be doing manly chores he didn't even know the voltage of electricity in his house. If anything it was to illustrate the difficulty of being a stay-at-home-mom. I think that it is a tremendous responsibility, but I also think Jack was a total imbecile.

Jack eventually morphs into a capable stay-at-home-dad. Hooray! The movie still wasn't good. It wasn't funny and it wasn't clever. It was a man making a fool of himself at home and a smart woman being objectified at work. I'll pass.

Keatons first lead role after his successful "Night Shift" debut in 82 was this family comedy about a laid off auto worker who takes over at home as his wife (Garr) goes back to work. It is a bit unbelievable that Keaton, after years of having a family, would not know how to operate the washing machine or vaccuum cleaner. But he was so perfect at being silly I had to let it slide. Its a little like a fish outta water story as he has to go to the unfamiliar market, do numerous chores around the house and learn the right way to drop off the kids at school in the morning ("South to drop off, moron!"). Plenty of good moments from a comedic and dramatic standpoint, as Keaton and Garr deal with her being away from home so much. Mull becomes a foil for her as her new boss, having a case of the major league hots for his star employee. Im sure Keaton will always be remembered as Batman, but this will always be my fave of his in one of John Hughes ("The Breakfast Club," "Ferris Buellers Day Off") more unknown works. Good, harmless fun.

This film essentially begins with an automobile engineer by the name of "Jack Butler" (Michael Keaton) being laid off from work in Detroit along with two of his colleagues. Realizing that his severance pay and unemployment compensation won't last very long, he immediately tries to find another job but finds it almost impossible due to the trying times. Fortunately, his wife "Caroline Butler" (Teri Garr) manages to find meaningful employment but that leaves him having to fill the role as the full-time caregiver for their three young children-and he has absolutely no clue about how to even begin the task at hand. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this was possibly Michael Keaton's best comedy film due in large part to the way he turned a minor problem into a major catastrophe without even trying. And although he does get a handle on things eventually even then there are some cute twists and turns afterward. In any case, I found this to be an amusing film and I have rated it accordingly. Above average.

I got this movie for Christmas last year on DVD and I kinda liked it but my brother loves this movie. He loves the facial expressions that Michael Keaton makes. My favorite scenes are the school drop off scene ("SOUTH TO DROP OFF MORON!") The Supermarket scene and the soap opera scenes. The last 20-25 minutes of the film don't match up though. Still it's a pretty good comedy. 7/10

This 1983 comedy is a real gem. No matter what the one star reviews below so ignorantly say. It's definitely one of the best jobs Michael Keaton has ever done. The movie has funny written all over it. It's too bad the people down below have no sense of humor. Keaton stars as Jack Butler, a man who is laid off from his job. As soon as he is, his wife (Teri Garr) decides to go back to work and gets a great job. Poor Jack is now home dealing with all of the normal, everyday things that you usually do. He is raising the kids, doing the dishes, laundry, making dinner. He has even started to watch soaps and hang out the neighborhood ladies. Grocery shopping is a nightmare for him. The review on this page stated that the movie is sexist. Please. People make arguments over something that's not even there. Sigh. This movie has many classic scenes as well as dialogue that you can repeat over and over. The supporting cast includes a number of familiar faces: Martin Mull, Jeffrey Tambor, and Christopher Lloyd. This is a wonderful family comedy that deserves a lot more attention than it got.

Funny how things have changed since then. With the poor economy and the changing gender roles in society today, it's not so uncommon to find a man staying at home with the kids. More women are working than ever before, and more than half of the married women are the breadwinners of their families. It might have been a little strange back then, but it's become more commonplace now. Who knows? Maybe someday we'll go back to these simplier times. I see a world of slightly more courtesy in their working worlds, well behaved kids, and little to no dysfunction.

Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

Mr. Mom is directed by Stan Dragoti and written by John Hughes. It stars Michael Keaton, Teri Garr and Martin Mull. Music is by Lee Holdridge and cinematography by Victor J. Kemper. Plot sees Keaton as Jack Butler, who after being laid off from work, is forced to become a house husband after his wife Caroline (Garr) lands a good job with Schooner Tuna - something he's really not cut out to do.

Ah, well, look, it's obviously very eighties, and thankfully society has moved on in leaps and bounds since this film was released. But good honest comedy is just that, honest, and for those looking for a good chuckle whilst admiring the talent of a pre-Batman Keaton, Mr. Mom is a bad mood lifter. Condensed into the 90 minute running time are enough gags and fun sequences to fill out a 12 episode sit-com, with a pre-teen-angst trail blazing John Hughes scripting it full of quotable lines. Lines which Keaton delivers with the comic timing not befitting someone just starting out in film.

The fun is mined from Jack being hopeless at basic household chores whilst badly tending the three young children at the same time. Enter scenes involving shopping, dropping the kids off at school, laundry, cooking and ironing. As his masculinity starts to wane, Jack starts too slob out and gets his kicks by watching day-time soap operas and playing cards with the neighbourhood women. This coincides with his wife Caroline (Garr adorable) advancing well at work, but paying a price for it by being away from the family home far too much. There's also the looming presence of Caroline's smarmy boss (Martin Mull delightfully sleazy) and the good time girl (Ann Jillian sexing it up) who has her eye on Jack for fun and frolics. Both of these are stereotypes, but they existed then as much as they exist now, with that, it's easy to cut Mr. Mom some slack.

Supporting slots fall to Christopher Lloyd (who would re-team with Keaton for the very funny "The Dream Team" in 1989), Jeffrey Tambor ("City Slickers"), Graham Jarvis (TV "Starsky & Hutch/Cagney & Lacey") and Miriam Flynn ("National Lampoon's Vacation"). The child actors put in pleasing turns, where they score funny points both visually and orally, and director Dragoti ("The Man With One Red Shoe") directs in an unfussy natural way. Ultimately it's Keaton and Hughes' script that lifts it to better comedy heights, the latter of which also plays on some basic fears that arise in the real world. Yeah, it's not just about Jack's bumbling around the home, that John Hughes was a sharp fella you know. 7/10

"Mr. Mom" is a bit slow and dated at this point, without much anything happening in it, but sometimes it is nice to watch a movie that is simple and not overstimulating, for when you just kind of want something on in the background. This film is good for those purposes. As someone else said, the cast is all great and likeable, making this old film a decent watch even today, but nothing spectacular. My rating: 5/10.

This is one of those movies that I could watch over and over. From start to finish it was a great family/comedy movie that made me laugh a lot. The actors were perfect for their roles and there was so many funny lines and actions. So many good and funny scenes with dad learning to play the mom role. And he played it so humorously well. I thought it was great how the mom, dad reacted with their children and one another, very caring and realistic. The movie made one realize that you do whatever you need to do to keep your family going through rough times and also makes you realize how much you mean to one another. So realistic and yet funny. Definitely a feel-good movie.

Aw, come on folks, why the low rating at IMDb? OK, so "Mr. Mom" ain't exactly "Masterpiece Theatre," but it's a very good, solid comedy that holds up surprisingly well today.

Michael Keaton is one of those actors who I've always found to be intensely likable, no matter how good or bad the movie he happens to be in. The material in "Mr. Mom" is mostly played for laughs, but it's not without some serious truths about the roles men and women play (or at least played) and the challenges each faces when he/she enters the sphere traditionally reserved for the "other." This film nails perfectly that depressing funk it's so easy to fall into when your day consists of household chores and daytime television. And conversely, it also understands the difficulty in balancing a challenging career with home responsibilities.

Teri Garr is her usual adorable self as Keaton's wife, and Martin Mull is a little too good as her smarmy boss.

Grade: A-

This is kind of dated and sexist now, a man who doesn't even know how to run a vacuum cleaner. But still, Michael Keaton makes it work some how, by just being very silly! Terri Garr is the perfect foil for him, and Martin Mull all but steals every scene he's in. An easygoing film that is definitely 'of it's time', but fun anyway.