Remember that amazing mid-‘90s comedy about a divorced man trying to be a good dad that stars a legendary comedian at the height of his career? That’s right, I’m talking about Liar Liar pants on Mrs. Doubtfire.

That is, I’m talking about those two films, which starred Jim Carrey and Robin Williams, respectively. Imagine if those two actors had ever starred in a film together. Now that would have been a comedy for the ages.

Liar Liar and Mrs. Doubtfire have a surprising number of things in common, and we’re about to go through them all.

Work-Life Balance

At the start of each film, we get to see the father in his element. Fletcher Reede is coming out of a courtroom and gets sidetracked by his own success, making him late to pick up his son from his wife’s house. Daniel Hillard goes off-script during a recording session for a cartoon and quits his job, which makes him early to pick up his children from school.

Son’s Birthday Party Sets It Off

In both cases, a boy’s birthday party sets the stage for the rest of the film. Fletcher fails to appear at his son Max’s fifth birthday party after promising he’d come. This upsets his son so much that he wishes his dad couldn’t lie for one whole day. Daniel throws a huge birthday party for his 12-year-old son after his wife had promised a small one. This upsets Miranda Hillard so much that she demands a divorce.

Relying on Lying

Lies play a big part in both films. Fletcher finds himself unable to lie because of Max’s wish, which puts him in lots of awkward positions. Daniel pretends to be an old woman and lies constantly to get close to his children, which puts him in lots of awkward positions.

Good-Guy Replacement

Two incredibly talented actors play rivals for the wives’ affections. Post-Princess Bride Cary Elwes plays Jerry, who adores Audrey and Max, but he’s a little too safe, in Fletcher’s opinion. Pre-Goldeneye Pierce Brosnan plays Stu Dunmeyer, who’s suave and adoring to Miranda and her children, but Daniel absolutely detests him.

Wanting to Be with Their Kids

The entire plot of each film revolves around the fact that a father desperately wants to be close to his children. Fletcher is struggling to keep Audrey from taking their son Max to live with Jerry in faraway Boston. Daniel is struggling to get Miranda to let him spend more time with their children.

Late to Arrive, Early to Pick Up

Punctuality isn’t a strong suit in these films. Fletcher is late to pick up Max from Audrey. Not only is Miranda late to drop off the kids to Daniel, but she’s early to pick them up.

Disappointed Kids

The father struggles to find the right balance with his kids. During his time with his son Max, Fletcher gets a new case and has to spend all his time preparing for it. This disappoints Max and makes him pine for time playing with his dad. During her first day on the job, Mrs. Doubtfire gets on everyone’s case and forces the children to clean and do their homework. This makes them all pine for their fun-loving dad.

Unfair Treatment

The father has to grin and bear it when he receives unfair treatment at one point. Fletcher has to get his car out of an impound after it gets towed by a police officer. He points out the injustice the attendant has put him through by scratching his car, but there’s nothing he can do about it. Daniel has to order fancy takeout after he burns dinner on the stove. He points out that the deliveryman is late and doesn’t have change, but there’s nothing he can do about it.

Bad Father and Husband

A major turning point comes when a former husband and wife share a brutally honest conversation. Audrey notes that Fletcher is great with their son when he bothers to show up. And he admits that he’s a bad father. Miranda tells Mrs. Doubtfire that Daniel is great with their children. But she’s happier when he’s not around because he’s a bad husband.

The Secret Starts to Get Out

The father’s big secret begins to be revealed partway through the film. Fletcher finds out that Max wished he wouldn’t be able to lie, so he visits the boy at school and asks him to undo his wish. But he can’t do it, and he notes that he’ll probably be moving across the country soon. Daniel’s two older kids find out that he’s masquerading as Mrs. Doubtfire, and he chases after them and begs them not to tell anyone about it. They promise to do it, but Daniel’s son can barely stand to look at him and prefers to keep his distance.

Unpleasant Street Encounters

Each father has an unwelcome interaction with a guy they don’t want to see. Fletcher gets accosted by a homeless man and turns him away at first but later gives him his pocket change. Mrs. Doubtfire gets accosted by a purse snatcher, but he’s unable to get what he wants.

Accidental Roast of the Boss

An unexpected roast of high-ranking executives happens halfway through each movie. In the middle of a board meeting, Fletcher is forced to tell the truth about the head of the firm he’s hoping to make partner with. And it’s not very flattering. But the man takes it in stride and encourages him to make fun of everyone else in the room. While a boring TV show is being filmed, Daniel tells an old man the truth about what he thinks of it. And it’s not very flattering. The old man turns out to be the owner of the TV studio, but he takes Daniel’s criticism in stride and denigrates the show himself.

The Big Reveal

A major revelation takes place at the film’s climax. Aboard a taxiing airplane, Audrey and Jerry are stunned to see Fletcher outside their window. They’re shocked and horrified to discover that he’s commandeered a flight of stairs to stop their plane from taking off. At a fancy restaurant, Daniel gets exposed in his Mrs. Doubtfire costume in front of his wife and Stu. They’re shocked and horrified to discover that it’s been him the whole time, and they quickly take off.

Courtroom Speeches in Defense of Fathers

The father gives heartfelt performances in the courtroom. A father is fighting his wife’s unfair attempt to get his money and their children in court. When he fails, Fletcher gives an impassioned speech to the judge in defense of the man and against his own client. He gets held in contempt of court as a result. Daniel is fighting what he sees as his wife’s unfair attempt to take his children away from him in court. Without a lawyer, Daniel gives an impassioned speech to the judge in defense of his own actions. He fails to persuade the judge who places harsh conditions on him.

New Business Ventures

In the end, the father goes into business for himself. Fletcher refuses to become a partner in a big law firm when doing so would go against his principles, and he decides to strike out on his own. Daniel parlays his Mrs. Doubtfire character into a successful TV show aimed at educating children in a fun way that is right in line with his principles.

Damaged Relationship Repaired

At the conclusion of each film, the former husband and wife are able to patch up their differences and at least be civil with each other. Fletcher and Audrey surprise their son as they share a passionate kiss on his sixth birthday. They seem to be well on their way to rekindling their flame and making their family whole again. Miranda surprises her children when she introduces them to their new nanny, Daniel. The bitterness between the pair is gone, and they’re able to talk kindly to each other and share time with their children so none of them will feel broken anymore.

Same Lady!

I can’t finish this article without mentioning that the same actress plays a supporting role in both of these films. Anne Haney plays Fletcher’s sassy secretary Greta. And she also plays Daniel’s no-nonsense court liaison Mrs. Sellner. She has memorable scenes with Fletcher and Daniel, making them both extremely uncomfortable and forcing them into compromising situations. She’s a hoot.

Outliers

Liar Liar and Mrs. Doubtfire are examples of comedic genius. They are outliers in that they manage to take a painful topic like divorce and mine it for all the jokes it’s worth. Of course, they are not copies of each other because they put a unique spin on the same premise. What lengths will a desperate father go to in order to be with his children?

Fletcher Reede will find a way to win an impossible court case, nobly reject a lucrative business deal, learn the value of telling the truth, and illegally sneak into an airport to stop his son’s plane from taking off. Daniel Hillard will create a whole new persona as an elderly Englishwoman, learn how to cook and clean, swallow his pride, and reach a compromise with his wife to be close to his children.

I enjoy both of these movies. And now you can see the many elements they share in common. I might have even missed a few, but I doubt it.

This is the Deja Reviewer bidding you farewell until we meet again.

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