Hmm, I didn't expect him to get back with his wife. There's just too much that's happened and they aren't shown to be compatible anyway. I like the ending of them moving on from each other, doing their own thing in a successful, happy way and being on friendly terms. It's touching and makes sense.

Well the goal of becomming Mrs Doubtfire was both to be with his kids and also to show his wife that he could be a responsible person in order to win her back.

Not to win her back. It was shown it was always about the kids.

Miranda tells him straight. I'm a better person without Daniel and I'm sure he is without me. I was turning into this horrible person and I didn't want my kids growing up with a mother like that.

If you grew up with divorced parents, this movie makes a lot of sense. Aside from the antics, but the message behind it is heartfelt.

Well, actually, the whole reason they didn't do that in the film (which was the original idea) was because RW, SF and CC had all gone through divorces, and they knew that wasn't a good message for kids- most divorced couples don't get back together

I thought the ending was perfect and, despite the broad nature of the comedy in the film, realistic. Throughout the movie, Robin Williams' character was certainly more concerned about remaining in contact with his children then reconciling with his ex-wife. This was the entire entire point of inventing the Mrs. Doubtfire character. Despite the fact that she ultimately saw that the traits she liked in Mrs. Doubtfire existed in her ex-husband, he remained the immature, self-centered man that she divorced in the first place. The beauty of the character was that it allowed her to see his better qualities, opening the door to a closer long-term friendship.

The movie was the perfect vehicle for Williams, allowing him to demonstrate his comic range while also trading on the warm, caring persona that he exhibited in most of his roles. Man, the more I think of it the more it depresses me how we lost him and his talents.

I took it the same way, although Daniel had the most trouble accepting the family being broken up & divorce (I can DIRECTLY relate, God help me!), the ending hinted at him finding peace in doing work he liked, and more importantly, the parents working together for the kids. Its a positive ending, but still strikes me slightly sad, especially with RW's voiceover.

@AlienFanatic said:

I thought the ending was perfect and, despite the broad nature of the comedy in the film, realistic. Throughout the movie, Robin Williams' character was certainly more concerned about remaining in contact with his children then reconciling with his ex-wife. This was the entire entire point of inventing the Mrs. Doubtfire character. Despite the fact that she ultimately saw that the traits she liked in Mrs. Doubtfire existed in her ex-husband, he remained the immature, self-centered man that she divorced in the first place. The beauty of the character was that it allowed her to see his better qualities, opening the door to a closer long-term friendship.

The movie was the perfect vehicle for Williams, allowing him to demonstrate his comic range while also trading on the warm, caring persona that he exhibited in most of his roles. Man, the more I think of it the more it depresses me how we lost him and his talents.

Interesting analysis. Thanks for sharing your insights. Absolutely agree about having lost Robin Williams much too soon. The man was a comedic giant.