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Rated: R
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, et al.
Director: Barry Levinson Review
Rain Man is the kind of touching drama that Oscars are made for--and, sure
enough, the film took Academy honors for best picture, director,
screenplay, and actor (Dustin Hoffman) in 1988. Hoffman plays Raymond, an
autistic savant whose late father has left him $3 million in a trust. This
gets the attention of his materialistic younger brother, a hot-shot LA car
dealer named Charlie (Tom Cruise) who wasn't even aware of Raymond's
existence until he read his estranged father's will. Charlie picks up
Raymond and takes him on a cross-country journey that becomes a voyage of
discovery for Charlie, and, perhaps, for Raymond, too. Rain Man will
either captivate you or irritate you (Raymond's sputtering of repetitious
phrases is enough to drive anyone crazy), but it is obviously a labor of
love for those involved. Hoffman had been attached to the film for many
years, as various directors and writers came and went, but his persistence
eventually paid off--kind of like Raymond in Las Vegas. Look for director
Barry Levinson in a cameo as a psychiatrist near the end of the film.
--Jim Emerson ------------ In response to
the movie "Rain Man", I felt that the role played by Dustin Hoffman
(Raymond Babbitt) was unbelievable. Dustin Hoffman is a great actor as the
Rain Man, and demonstrates incredibly well how an autistic person reacts
towards certain things as well as changes in his routine life. He captures
autism in such a way that you could actually believe in his performance. I
was amazed at the way he was able to pull off this role.
Tom Cruise's role (Charlie Babbitt) was equally as brilliant, who is the
villain of the story who undergoes such a sharp change that it's almost
not visible until nearly the end. Charlie is shown to be a selfish and
greedy jerk at the beginning of the film, but as mentioned before, his
gradual understanding of his brother's disability, and extra abilities,
are what eventually leads to the grasping of a strong relationship with
his brother. Tom Cruise, in my opinion, was perfectly suited for the
flashy, egotistical character of Charlie, and I think he did a great job.
Furthermore, the directing of the film was beautiful, for the most part
just letting the action unfold, which is exactly the way it should have
been done. I also believe that "Rain Man" portrays many aspects of autism
quite well. The movie is an introduction to autism for most people who see
it for the first time. In summary, Charlie Babbitt, played by Tom Cruise,
is a self-centered car dealer, and leaves on vacation with his girlfriend
Susanna, played by Valeria Golino. However, on route with his girlfriend,
he unfortunately learns that his father who threw him out as a teenager
has passed away, and decides to show up at his funeral for only one
reason, to get the money his father left behind. Upon arriving for the
funeral, Charlie learns that his father left him a now antique
convertible, which he originally loved and wanted in his teen years, but
which his father never let him drive. Unfortunately for Charlie, he can't
get the money which he truly desired, since he discovers that it has been
given to a mental institution Charlie is unaware of. Charlie therefore
decides to take matters in his own hands and goes to the institution to
find out what their connection with his father was. It is only then that
he learns that he has a big brother by the name of Raymond, played by
Dustin Hoffman, who is autistic and lives in this institution. Charlie
tries to convince the manager of the institution to let him have the
money, since his brother can't do nothing with it because he doesn't even
understand the concept of money. The manager of the institution refuses to
give him the money, because he promised Charlie's father that he'd make
sure to leave it to Raymond no matter what happened. Charlie is enraged by
what has happened and by his father keeping Raymond's existence from him
his entire life. As a result, Charlie takes Raymond out of the institution
without the permission of the manager, and this is how Charlie gets to
know his big brother Raymond. The two begin a long road trip that will
lead them to an understanding of each other, and I believe that this trip
across the country was the start in the relationship between the two
brothers.
This movie was very emotional at some times, and had it's
funny moments as well. I believe that "Rain Man" is truly a work of art,
and a film that everyone can watch, understand, and enjoy.
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