Rain Man (Special Edition)
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Movie Reviews of Rain Man (Special Edition)
Movie Review: Stellar
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm hard pressed to think of another movie where two prominent actors are more on top of their craft--where every single scene in which they interact makes you go, "Wow!"--than RAIN MAN. I've seen this movie several times (and hope to see it several times more) and walk away with a new appreciation for what Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman were able to accomplish with each viewing.
This is a journey of discovery, as LA car dealer/hustler Charlie (Cruise) learns, upon the death of his estranged father, that he has a much older, autistic brother, Ray (Hoffman). Angry that he has been shut out of his father's will, while Ray is the estate's benefactor, Charlie takes Ray out of his institution and the two brothers embark on a cross-country odyssey (including a trek through my stomping grounds in Oklahoma). Ray is a fragile man of routine, and plucking him from his institution and traveling thousands of miles is a severe disruption; while Charlie, at first impatient and angry at Ray's outbursts, tries repeatedly to "get through" to his brother--to make a connection. Again, this is a journey of discovery, and it is Charlie who discovers some very important things. . .about himself.
Hoffman is totally convincing and believable as an introverted autistic savant; what's interesting is that I learned during a special showing of this film that Hoffman, while the movie was being shot, thought his performance so poor and shoddy he asked to be taken off the cast and be replaced by Richard Dreyfuss. This demonstrates he was so invested in the character of Ray he wasn't giving the character the performance he thought it deserved. Fortunately, director Barry Levinson (who appears, briefly, at the end of the film) declined Hoffman's request; and the rest, as they say, is cinematic history. Hoffman and Cruise gave masterpiece performances, and RAIN MAN deserved all the accolades and awards it received. If you haven't seen this movie, please, please do so.
--D. Mikels, Author, The Reckoning
Movie Review: "Five Star Film"
Summary: 5 Stars
"Rainman" is the story of two brothers who have never known about each other. After con artist Charlie Babbitt's (Tom Cruise) father dies he finds out his dad has left 3 million dollars to a son in a mental home. This son, Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), is autitstic, and Charlie decides in order to get his hands on the inheritence he will pull Raymond from the home and take of him himself. What follows is a touching story of the acceptance and understanding of people who are challenged, yet special, as well as a story of changing one's outlook on life as Charlie is forced to examine his own personna and to drop his conniving ways to care for his brother. This piece of work is some of the best Cruise has ever done and it's the best film Hoffman has ever acted in. It was no surprise the film became a huge boxoffice hit and garnered four Oscars, including Best Actor for Hoffman, Best Screenplay, Best Director for Barry Levinson (who has a cameo in the film), and Best Picture of 1988. The DVD is not really a "special edition" version, although we do have a few extras like the trailer and a minor featurette with an interview with the stars. There are three commentaries, one with Levinson who offers his thoughts on the making of the film. I just wished there had been a more insightful featurette on how the movie was made. Still, "Rainman" is an excellent piece of film work and one that holds up 21 years later.Movie Review: Rain Man (Special Edition)
Summary: 5 Stars
Charles Sanford "Charlie" Babbit is a self-centered Los Angeles-based automobile dealer/hustler/bookie who is at war with his own life. Charlie, as a young teenager, used his father's 1948 Buick convertible without permission and as a result, he went to jail for two days on account that his father reported it stolen. It is then that Charlie learns that his estranged father died and left him from his last will and testament a huge bed of roses and the car while the remainder will of $3 Million goes into a trust fund to be distributed to someone. Charlie seemed pretty angry by this and decides to look into this matter. It seems as if that someone is Raymond, Charlie's unknown brother, an autistic savant who lives in a world of his own, resides at the Walbrook Institute. Charlie then kidnaps Raymond and decides to take him on a lust for life trip to the west coast as a threat to get the $3 Million inheritance. Raymond's acts and nagging, including repeated talks of "Abbott & Costello", "Four minutes till Wapner" and refusal to fly on an airline except Quantas drives Charlie insane, and out of his selfish world into a cross-country trek of pure love and understanding that these two both have. Dustin Hoffman's performance as Raymond Babbitt is, bar none in this movie. Trying to put the reason that "Rain Man" is so great into words is simply impossible. It's got everything. Watch it, enjoy it.Movie Review: Touching, Funny and Superbly Acted by Cruise and Hoffman!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Rain Man" is one of those rare films that is equally touching and moving as it is humorous. A true labor of love for those involved, particularly its producers, director Barry Levinson, and star Dustin Hoffman, it remains an undated and compelling work, since its release sixteen years ago. By now most know that Hoffman was heavily praised for his dead-on portrayal of an autistic savant, winning an Oscar in the process. However, it is really Tom Cruise who is the heart and soul of the movie, portraying its true protagonist. His is a very underrated performance, one that reminds how accomplished an actor he can be when given the right dramatic role. Equally good is Levinson's direction, smartly exposing the humor on what could normally be viewed as overly sentimental material. Included is one brief and all to basic featurette with cast and crew interviews of the time. The one deleted scene featured is redundant of what's already in the movie. The DVD makes up for all of this however with the inclusion of three audio commentaries to choose from. In the end, the greatest strength of this package is the movie itself. Whether it was indeed the best film of 1988 is a point of debate. Nonetheless, it is likely to satisfy most viewers because its themes of greed, discovery and compassion are not only universal, but in this case, intelligently presented.Movie Review: TWO AWARD WORTHY PERFORMANCES
Summary: 5 Stars
What happened to at least an Oscar nomination for Tom Cruise as well? Since my High School years, I've counted Dustin Hoffman amongst my all-time favorite actors. With films like "The Graduate", "Midnight Cowboy", "Little Big Man" (my favorite film of all-time), he just has a way with characterizations that make movies memorable. And "Rain Man", a film about two brothers reunited after years of separation, Autism, and so much more, is no exception. Well deserved Oscars for Best Film and Actor of 1988. Even better work for Mr. Hoffman than his previous Oscar winning performance for "Kramer Vs Kramer". But the emotional rollercoaster of mood changes Mr. Cruise was called upon to portray, was just as worthy a performance in my opinion. His best work to date. And so I ask once more; what happened to at least an Oscar nomination for Mr. Cruise as well?
In one of the more moving scenes on film, after Charlie(Cruise)comes to the realization that his autistic brother Raymond(Hoffman)just couldn't cope outside the institution he had been raised for most of his life, the two brothers heads touch one another's, and after a moment of silence the words are spoken by Tom Cruise; "I like having you for my big brother".
Great film making by director Barry Levinson. What a fun journey through every human emotion imaginable.