It's Been a While, Mrs. Doubtfire

We've reached a time when it's safe to acknowledge that movies made in the 1990s have a specific look, which dates those of us who are reluctantly crossing over into the realm of the grown-ups.

Society dictates that we reach adulthood at 18, but let's not confuse adults with grown-ups since they're entirely different. Adults can drink, vote and "make decisions" but grown-ups pay for your food, have the right answers, and drive safely.

It's obvious that the new freshman class of the grown-ups has arrived since life-changing films such as "Mrs. Doubtfire" possess tell-tale 1990s qualities. These include relatively soft images, zany antics and most importantly, montages. If we compare "Mrs. Doubtfire" to "Meet the Browns", for example, the differences are striking and even depressing.

"Mrs. Doubtfire's" winning cast includes Sally Field, Robin Williams, Pierce Brosnan and most notably, Matthew Lawrence (perhaps his most riveting performance to date). With an official tagline proclaiming that "She'll Rock your World", everyone was shaking in their Reeboks anticipating Robin Williams in a role reminiscent of Tootsie with a hip twist of Aerosmith.

Many agree that the concept of a loser father who dresses in drag to spend time with his children while selfishly lying to everyone around him is quite controversial and at the very least, impolite. But throw in Sally's sweetness with Robin's spot-on comedic timing and it's PG through and through.

The point here is that without "Mrs. Doubtfire", I probably could have played outside a few times or followed through with gymnastics. I must have watched that VHS 7,468 times while drinking a box of Yoohoo. The risk this dad took to spend time with his kids was inspiring and joyous. His determination to learn how to cook, and all the kookiness that ensues when he puts it to the test warmed my thriving 9-year-old heart.

Let us not forget that the main source of our adoration for Mrs. Doubtfire is that she is actually a man. This is funny. This is hilarious. We laugh heartily because men are supposed to act one way, and women another.

I am proud to say that "Mrs. Doubtfire" is one of the greatest films of all time (maybe ever). Although it's hard to come to terms with becoming a grown-up, a movie like "Mrs. Doubtfire" kindly affords us fond memories of our childhoods in the 1990s.

"Milk Money" to follow.