Rain Man (Special Edition)

RAIN MAN is an excellent film that came out in 1988 when autism was relatively unknown. Though no one person on the autism spectrum is likely to exhibit all the traits Raymond Babbitt does Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of him is humane and relatively accurate. Tom Cruise is also excellent as Raymond's handsome self absorbed brother, Charlie, and I had almost forgotten what an appealing actor Cruise was as a young man. The plot is not too realistic but the movie is so well acted and the setting as the two men drive from Cincinnati to LA so well realized that it is difficult not to be absorbed in this good hearted film with a message.

I'm a big fan of Dustin Hoffman and the part he played in this movie was one of his best characters. I can watch this movie over and over and it still brings tears to my eyes.

The one star is provided for the portrayal of autism's essential awkwardness.
However, it's only one star. The film exasperates me, disabled also, by perpetuating the syrupy sentimentality that disability carries some compensating ability - here (as usual) mathematical genius. Nature's not like that, sorry to say. What you're good at, you're good at, disabled or not. I specialised in languages because I love language, not because I have epilepsy. Yet, more and more this nonsense is ground out. Cases of the idiot savant are certainly known, but they're extremely rare. Parents and family who believe films like this (and e.g. A Beautiful Mind) are almost certain to be disappointed. Disabiled people aren't somehow inspired. They/we are just doing what we could do anyway. Can we please be a bit more realistic?

I love this movie! I had bought this as a gift for a friend because I couldn't find it in any stores around here. I ordered it online and what do you know, they have it in the $5 bin at Target. I was a bit upset with the price, but I'll survive I guess. LOL

Name a Hollywood actor who would have accepted the role of Rainman and then turned it into an Academy Award performance over 20 years ago. I can't. Hoffman's performance is consistent with the inconsistencies of autism, a disease still unfamiliar to most. The plot is simple. Cruise is all but ignored in his father's will, with 3 million dollars set aside in an anonymous trust.He soon learns that the benefactor is an unknown autistic brother living in a facility in Cincinnati. Cruise's resentment soon turns to affection, as this unlikely duet motors cross country to Los Angeles. Along the way they use Hoffman's incredible math skills to win $ 80,000 in Las Vegas, and Cruise is beginning to understand that Hoffman is a true genius in some ways, a helpless panic during crises. Enter the lawyers and psychiatrists, exit Hoffman back to Ohio. But, in just one weeks' time, Cruise has grown up and seems to realize it, even though his restricted brother is apparently unaware. Do not confuse this movie with Matt Damon's "The Rainmaker". Both movies have plenty to say, but on completely different topics.