Mr. Mom Review

MPAA Rating: PG
Released: 1983

Mr. Mom features the charismatic Michael Keaton as a recently laid-off husband that is soon forced to play the role of a stay-at-home dad when his wife lands a high-powered job before he can find a new one. Initially he believes that staying home to watch the kids and the house will be a piece of cake, but once he has troubles operating even simple appliances such as the washing machine, he comes to learn that being a stay-at-home mom is nothing to take for granted.

While the idea of a working wife and a stay-at-home dad isn't quite so absurd nowadays as more and more households choose to adopt this routine, back in 1983 - the year Mr. Mom was released - it was still a very uncommon concept. As such, Mr. Mom might pack a slightly more potent comedic punch for those who grew up with the belief that the husband is the bread earner while the wife stays home and cares for the family.

That having been said, even if the concept of a stay-at-home dad no longer strikes you a bit silly chances are good you'll find a lot of charm in Mr. Mom.

Jack Butler (Michael Keaton) is a hard working car manufacturing plant manager that is delighted with his family, occupation and general lot in life. When rumors of potential layoffs spread throughout the plant, Jack is certain that he not need fear such matters. He is wrong.

The cash-poor plant has no choice but to lay Jack off in an attempt to save money. His wife, Caroline Butler (Teri Garr), is sympathetic and offers to search for a job herself if need be. Jack, amused by the implication his wife could find a job in the modern workplace, proposes a friendly competition: if she can land a job before he can, he'll pay her $100.00 and stay at home to take care of the kids.

As the title of the movie suggests, he loses the bet when Caroline scores an executive position at an advertising firm. But surely that's not a problem… after all, how hard can it be to watch the kids and keep the house clean?

Apparently pretty difficult!

Jack finds that caring for a baby and a pair of young boys is in itself a challenging task, but when you add working household appliances, cooking, soap opera addiction and eligible seductresses into the mix, disasters just seem to pop up one after the other! Not that Caroline is having it any easier, for although she's experiencing a rapid rise through the corporate ladder due to her skills, she must also deal with an increased workload and a persistently flirtatious boss.

Mr. Mom depends largely on the fish out of water concept for its laughs, and for the most part Michael Keaton does a great job with the role. His charming and expressive demeanor brings the character of Jack Butler to life, and while nothing he does in this movie is exactly gut-busting funny, he's always entertaining to watch.

This film does not shoot for outrageous humor or slapstick comedy; the humor is subtle and family-friendly. I can't recall once breaking into a fit of laughter during Mr. Mom, but there was a permanent content smile on my face… and ultimately that's the mark of a good family comedy.

Movie rating: 7 stars

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