Watch Mr. Mom

Mr. Mom is a 1983 comedy film directed by Stan Dragoti and produced by Aaron Spelling. The film stars Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, and Frederick Koehler in the lead roles, all of whom deliver fantastic performances, making the movie one of the classic comedies of the '80s. The story of Mr. Mom revolves around a young couple, Jack (Michael Keaton) and Caroline Butler (Teri Garr), living in Michigan with their three children. Jack loses his job at an automotive factory, forcing Caroline to take up a high-paying job at a marketing firm to support the family financially. As Caroline gets busy with her work, Jack takes up the role of the homemaker, a job he knows little about. Initially, Jack's efforts as a stay-at-home dad are pathetic, and he struggles to keep up with the new responsibilities in the house, but soon he becomes a pro.

The film raises concerns about gender roles and traditional family structures; it shows that domestic work is as challenging as any other job and that men can also contribute to their families as primary caretakers. The movie shows that there is no such thing as a 'women's job' and that tasks like cooking, cleaning laundry, and raising children are for anyone willing to take it up.

Michael Keaton's portrayal of Jack Butler is charming, funny, and one of the highlights of the movie. Keaton brings realism to the character and conveys his vulnerability and confusion in hysterical ways that allow the audience to identify with him. Teri Garr, as Caroline Butler, is equally impressive; a working mom trying to balance her professional work with domestic demands, she represents the voice of working mothers everywhere. The film maintains the intricacies of marriage and exposes the differences between men and women; the couple must navigate through misunderstandings, miscommunications, and adjustment issues that come with new roles.

The children are another great aspect of the movie. Frederick Koehler as Alex Butler, the eldest of the three, offers a sensitive performance and beautifully portrays the role of the mediator between his bickering siblings. All three children – who are all typical in their own way – are well-acted and offer comic relief when needed.

The film is full of hilarious moments that keep you entertained throughout. It has a great script, with funny lines and witty jokes that still deliver the laughs. Mr. Mom approaches its absurd premise with a straight face, and that's what makes it so effective. The movie does not shy away from the reality of parenting and how overwhelming it can seem, but it still manages to be light-hearted, never letting the humor disappear too long.

The excellent direction by Stan Dragoti also makes the film stand out. He captures the essences of the film's premise with a keen eye for detail and serves up a well-constructed story with both humor and heart. Dragoti handles the tonal shifts with ease, never losing grasp of the themes at hand, making the movie seamlessly blend with the audience's emotions.

In conclusion, Mr. Mom is a well-crafted comedy that still holds up after decades. The film is funny, heartwarming, and incredibly witty. It still resonates with the audience today as it did in the '80s, and it’s genuinely worth checking out. Michael Keaton's performance, the exciting cast, and the sharp writing all make this film an entertaining and enjoyable experience.

Mr. Mom is a 1983 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 50.