“Look guys, take it easy on daddy. Remember, he’s a rookie.”

Justin’s rating: How many repair people come by a house in the average day? Like 25?

Justin’s review: You know how there are some of those famous movies that you haven’t seen yet, and when people discover your shameful omission, they throw stones at you (metaphorically) and hiss at you (literally)? I suppose you should prepare to do that to me, for I did not see the John Hughes-penned Mr. Mom until the Year of Our Lord 2025. Why has it taken me so long? I have no excuse.

Michael Keaton launched his cinematic comedy career with this flick playing Jack, a Ford engineer who loses his job unexpectedly. Unable to find a new one, Jack ends up swapping places his with wife: She goes into the workforce, and he finds himself taking up the role of the caregiver for his three children.

Maybe this sort of situation was more unusual in 1983, but there is a universal story here for someone thrust into the position of taking care of little kids all day, every day when their resume in that department’s been skimpy to date. Apparently this was based on a real life situation that Hughes himself had, which lends some authenticity.

Cocky at first, Jack soon finds that he’s ill-prepared for handling all of the specifics and schedules and personalities of his kids. Watching him flounder before finding his footing by handling parenting in his own style provides for a lot of comedic situations. We also get to see his wife Caroline (Teri Garr) struggle to transition from mom to advertising exec. Husband and wife also struggle with jealousy and people hitting on them left and right, learning to appreciate each other in a new light.

Jack’s kind of frazzled, whether he’s dropping off the kids the wrong way at school or accidentally kidnapping other children in the supermarket, but he holds on to his sense of humor and spontaneous ingenuity to get him through it. Of course, he makes it seem a lot harder than it should be, but that’s part of the fun. Also is seeing him settle into domesticated life, including growing addicted to soap opera and ironing grilled cheese sandwiches.

I will say that it’s really eye-rolling that Jack goes from hapless to SUPER DAD in the span of one very short montage. That and some of the unnecessary relationship conflict were my only real complaints here, and those are pretty much nitpicks.

Despite this not being directed by John Hughes, Mr. Mom feels and looks like a Hughes movie all the way through. There’s even that same scene with a vaguely menacing guy with a chainsaw that’s replicated in Uncle Buck. And that’s pretty cool, if you vibe on old school Hughes and want something other than teen comedy-drama.

I also enjoyed seeing Michael Keaton show off his comedy chops. He’s always been a mildly funny guy to me, able to do witty wordplay and physical slapstick fairly well. I mean, he’ll always be Batman to me, but he’s affable as a well-meaning dad trying to do his best.

Mr. Mom is a good time — extremely watchable, somewhat quotable, and slightly amusing. And at least y’all can stop hissing at me now.

Intermission!

• “Don’t touch his woobie!” what
• Baby milk can be used for coffee creamer in a pinch
• Jeffrey Tambor and Christopher Lloyd are so much younger here than what I know them for
• He totally did not see Rocky
• Gas money refund
• “You’re not a bum, are you dad?” “No, but I’m working on it.”
• Believe it or not, there was a TV series adaptation — in 2019 — that lasted a single season.
• Oh those early ’80s female work outfits
• “You’re doing it wrong.”
• So much KFC product placement…
• …and smoking in a conference room
• “I don’t have kids!”
• “I didn’t want his feet to get wet.”
• That chainsaw doesn’t seem safe indoors. And active.
• How to improve washing clothes by using waaaaay more product than you should
• The vacuum cleaner is named Jaws — and it’s pretty funny when it goes rogue
• Huh they had those big plastic interlocking boxes back in 1983
• You can iron grilled cheese
• You need a sword and shield to tackle out-of-control popcorn
• Coupons make for good poker betting chips
• “The beard is in its transitional phase!”
• “I’m going downstairs to sleep on the fat couch if I can get through the door!”
• One montage later, and he’s fixed all his problems
• I love this house’s fireplace, it’s incredibly cozy
• The E.T. costume
• Male strip clubs are WEIRD