Queering The Construction Of Gender Identity In Chris Columbus’ Movie Mrs. Doubtfire

The construction of traditional gender roles has affected the understanding of being feminine and masculine. This understanding seems to influence gender performance in the film Mrs. Doubtfire. This one?hour?and?fifty?seven?minute film was directed by Chris Columbus. This study is conducted to examine how gender performativity is illustrated in the film and what ideology lies within the film. Queer theory, especially gender performativity by Judith Butler is used as the framework of the study. The study is done by observing and analysing chosen scenes from the film focusing on the performance of Daniel Hillard as Euphegenia Doubtfire. Narrative aspect of the film is not only the main concern; the non?narrative is also part of the analysis especially on costume, makeup, performance and color. The main finding of this study is this film in one hand celebrates traditional gender roles but on the other hand promotes gender as performance. Femininity is pictured as fluid. Therefore, it is also a performativity. The contestation between those two opposing ideas is smoothly wrapped through amusing film such as Mrs. Doubtfire.