Review of Mr. Mom (1983) by Jeff B — 26 Apr 2010

Ho-hum. John Hughes comedy of privilege at its weakest, with no emotional high ground on which to retreat. This film is much too satisfied with rehashing tired old gender-based cliches; complacency permeates every frame. Only Keaton, a game and underrated comedian, seems like he's trying to make it work. Garr too, but she plays the type of character far too grounded to feel like she fits into the movie's averred wackiness.

And I know I shouldn't expect insightful gender politics from a Reagan-era film titled "Mr. Mom," but wouldn't Keaton be BEGGING his wife to go back to work and maximize her income, especially with three kids and the beginning of the end for Big Auto? Even the neighborhood he lives in looks like it could eventually be one of the run-down, boarded-up streets from "Roger and Me" seven years later.