For her Final Revamp of the season Olivia has chosen to tackle the best of both Moms and Dads with the Classic: Mr. Mom
I will never forget the day I came home from work (as a summer camp counselor for the seventh year in a row), being greeted by my mother, and all I could say was “Mom, there should not be one day set aside for Mother’s Day, there needs to be more. Thank you for all you have done.” Now, that particular day at work was not Hellish, but it was exhausting. Like most days that ended like that, I would reflect on how that was most days for my parents and for millions of parents worldwide: and they do not break a sweat!
So this Revamp is going to take a look at the way the modern family has developed, from one where one parent (mostly the father) took care of the family by financial means, and one parent (most times the mother) who took care of the family by emotional means.
This dual month’s celebration of mothers and fathers is a Revamp of the 1983 film, Mr. Mom starring Michael Keaton and Teri Garr. After Jack Butler (Keaton) is laid off, he switches roles with his wife Caroline (Garr) who returns to the workforce in order to help the family stay afloat. The comedy comes when Jack becomes a stay-at-home dad, a position where he sinks and eventually learns to swim (in his own way).
What could be done to make the remake of this film, that was met with mixed to low reviews upon its release, to meet the expectations of modern critics and audiences in a society where the idea of only one parent working is a comedy in itself? How do we address the new look of the ‘modern family’, without filling the token characters that try to depict EVERY family when no two are alike? It is a challenge, but one that can be approached a variety of ways.
For the sake of this article, and the original demographic of the family in the 1983 film, we are going to stick to the adult leads and secondary characters, their genders and race. When more time and thought, and exposure to a growing selection of actors and crew to pick from are developed, then we can come back and add or take away from this current Revamp.
The Original Cast & Crew
The Crew
Director: The late Stan Dragoti’s filmography is filled with several comedic films that have a following, but a small cult following at that. Mr. Mom is likely his masterpiece in terms of a vast audience, given the success of his ‘runner ups’ such as The Man with One Red Shoe (1985) and She’s Out of Control (1989).
DP: Victor J. Kemper has quite the variety when it comes to his experience as a DP, from the smoky look of Dog Day Afternoon (1975), to the claustrophobic look of Clue (1985). While Mr. Mom did not win all of the top awards, or the praise of audiences and critics, there is the warm glow of Kemper that is watchable and at most times the more enjoyable element of the scene.
Screenwriter: Whether he was writing or directing, John Hughes remains a coming of age icon decades after his rise in the 1980s. While most people know him more for his directorial work, his writing has led to successes such as The Breakfast Club (1985), Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), and Home Alone (1990). While Mr. Mom is not as memorable as these other titles, it shows that even the mighty can have faults.
Composer: Lee Holdridge was behind some of the more iconic soundtracks of the 1980s and 1990s. From Flashdance (1983) to One Life to Live (1992-2011), it is clear that his focus on instrumental means of evoking emotion was just as important to him as any score with lyrics. His soundtrack in Mr. Mom is a good example of using jazz in Reagan era cinema to be both fun and somber.
The Cast
Michael Keaton’s performance as Jack Butler is hardly comparable to his title roles in Beetlejuice (1988), Batman (1989) and later Birdman (2014). While it does reflect the comedic and gentle side we see in some of his roles, it could be said that all stars have had that one performance that just did not succeed.
Teri Garr’s Caroline Butler was at times the best person to apparent role than Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Tootsie (1982), it would be great to say it was not her strongest role as a lead given how the film was received.
Martin Mull often plays an authoritative or professional in the television shows and movies he stars in. Ron is no exception (except for the addition of World’s Worst Horndog). While he rarely strayed from the comedic and the family genre (Clue (1985), Jingle All the Way (1996) and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1997-2000), it would have been interesting to see him as a more serious character in a melodrama.
Ann Jillian’s role as Joan was not as memorable, or as humorous and sultry, as Laurie Metcalf a few years later in Uncle Buck (1989). While she had roles in Babes in Toyland (1961) and Mae West (1982) that appear to be her equally important roles, Joan seems to be the most recent and most stand out for the bombshell.
Jeffrey Tambor can play the slinky and cowardly sidekick or secondary character, as well as the prominent lead in his previous television and film roles. While he was funny in Arrested Development (2003-19), and vulnerable in Transparent (2014-17), his role as Jinx shows that he can explore that range of motive and reaction depending on the role and plot.
The Revamp
The Crew
Director/Writer: Judd Apatow knows how to write (The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005) and This is 40 (2012) and direct (The 40 Year-Old Virgin (2005), and Knocked Up (2007)) the adult ‘coming of age’ story. One believes that in order to appeal to modern audiences a plot that is dated in many ways someone like Apatow would have to be at the helm of such a project. His crude but honest approach would surely be enough to fill theater seats.
DP: Russ T. Alsobrook has worked on several films (Superbad (2007)) and television shows (New Girl (2011-18)) that like Apatow, give a mature audience their representation in the ‘coming of age’ tale. He knows how to make a comedy look credible and compatible with dramas due to his framing and lighting (something that was a positive in the original film). Given his previous work with Lyle Workman (whom I will get to in a minute) and it is the first half of a successful team for this Revamp aesthetics.
Composer: Lyle Workman has an ear for comedy. Known for Superbad (2007), Yes Man (2008), and Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008), he knows how to make the soundtrack fit the situation of the lead’s ups and often many downs. As previously mentioned, his working relationship with Alsobrook would help Apatow produce something that could and would grab the attention of the audience.
The Cast
Jack Butler – David Harbour has had a variety of roles across a variety of genres. Whether it was comedic (Drunk History (2018), action-packed (Suicide Squad (2016), or his more paternal and rough-around-the-edges widely known role in Stranger Things (2016-19), he knows his range and how to execute it well. Given the situational humor based on the original Mr. Mom and the modern take that Apatow would take, it would be a smart consideration to bring Harbour on board.
Caroline Butler – Like Harbour, Vera Farmiga (Orphan (2009), Up in the Air (2009), and Godzilla King of Monsters (2019)) has a variety of roles and genre’s under her belt that have been both memorable and a crutch. While she is not the first person to come to mind when one thinks of comedy, she would be the soothing and maternal match to Garr’s performance, and could still offer a laugh or giggle here or there.
Ron – Joshua Jackson. Now hear me out: yes, he is not the older and more successful man that the original Ron was, however the twist on age could offer some new air to the role. Think about how many young CEO types have an ego to them, and think they are the cat’s meow when it comes to the ladies. While Jackson is known for more straightforward and dramatic roles (The Mighty Ducks (1992), Dawson’s Creek (1998-03), Children of a Lesser God (2017)) he could have a funny side hiding behind those focused eyes.
Joan – Kathryn Hahn has become one of the more frequent faces of comedic actresses in recent years. She can also be seductive and silly as hell. Whether you know her from We’re the Millers (2013) Parks and Recreation (2012-15), or Bad Moms (2016), you know that she will go to any lengths to lure the man next door into her web.
Jinx – Sam Rockwell (Charlie’s Angels (2000), Iron Man 2 (2010) and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) has a track record of playing the cowardly big talker in several of his films, as well as the backstabber in others. To think he almost played Tony Stark is mind-blowing considering he is no Robert Downey Jr. While he is no Tambor either, he could be an acceptable Jinx in the remake of Mr. Mom.