i saw this film when it first come out and hat it . i just saw it again 27 year later . i actually like some of it . although robin williams be totally wrong for the role . what i remember most about hat the film be that it be almost the complete opposite of what i have understand when i read the book . since i haven not re read it and i can only give you my impression from the past but i be sure of one thing the film be a paean to family life and whereas in the book and almost all traditional institution include and and perhaps especially and marriage be show to be strait jacket that we would be well rid of . the only positive in the book be the wondrous nature of child . something that only the very begin and end of the film really capture ( with that incredibly gorgeous baby float in the air . too bad williams doesn not have a tenth of his charm . ) my low mark be therefore from the fact that the film misrepresent the book . a a film on it own it fare well but only for a few key performance . mary beth hurt be wonderful i think anyone watch it would fall in love with her . and john lithgow a an ex football player who have have a sex change operation be fantastic . he never once camp it up or make the character anything but commendable and a such his performance have an incredibly integrity . i watch him closely during all of his scene and and never once be he anything except womanly . nothing in his performance ever come near the performance of a drag queen . and that make all the difference . in fact and of all the people in the film and his be the only one which be irreproachable . it be worth see this film only for his performance .