MR. MOM. Directed by Stan Dragoti; written by John Hughes; produced by Lynn Loring and Lauren Schuller for 20th Century Fox. Starring Michael Keaton and Teri Garr. Rated PG.
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For some reason, they stopped making screwball comedies 30 or 40 years ago, although occasionally someone gives it another try. The latest effort, and a fairly successful one, is Mr. Mom. It's not as good as the best of the genre, but it stands up well besides most of them.
The movie's basic plot is very simple, but it picks up a lot of amusing embellishments along the way. Jack Butler (Keaton) loses his job and his wife Caroline (Garr) manages to get one before he can find another. So Caroline goes off to the advertizing jungle leaving Jack with the complex (and sometimes absurd) household and child-rearing chores.
Caroline's boss (Martin Mull) has an interest in more than just her brain. And, divorcee neighbor Joan (Ann Jillian) gleefully takes on the challenge of seducing Jack. Add Jack's reprehensible boss (Jeffrey Tambor), neighbors who like to play "coupon poker," two really delightful kids, and you have a first-rate supporting cast.
And first-rate is definitely the word for the stars. Garr is charming as always and convincing on both the home and business fronts. But Keaton is the main focus of the action. He is good at being relatively serious and exceptional in most of his comic bits. What's more, the bits always fit his character. He is both unpredictable and consistent in a very impressive performance.
There is ample food for thought in Mr. Mom about roles, parenting and the psychological effects of unemployment. But the social comment never intrudes on the main course, which is comedy.
A few times, the action drags a little or seems a bit disjointed. Overall, though, Mr. Mom is quite enjoyable and occasionally inspired. I recommend it highly, especially to parents of both sexes.
August 17, 1983