Rain Man (1988)

Rain Man gives Dustin Hoffman the latitude to play his finest role, which he does so convincingly I cannot imagine the performance being done any better or by anyone else.

Tom Cruise as Hoffman's brother also turns in a notable performance and the growth he exhibits during the film's running time is remarkable and heartwarming.

Tom Cruise is a gray market auto dealer with a load of Ferraris at the dock side. As he is wondering where he is going to get the customs money he is informed his estranged father died, leaving him an old Buick Roadmaster and a trustee $3 million.

When he pursues the issue he finds the money is going to support a brother of his (Hoffman) in an institution - a brother he didn't know he had.

Cruise kidnaps Hoffman (Raymond) and tries to extort the $3 million from the trustee. He finds that Raymond (Rain Man) is autistic and has no conception of what money is, however he has a set routine that must not be deviated from. His underwear must come from K Mart in Cincinnati; he must not miss Judge Wapner's television show "The People's Court;" he must only eat fish sticks on Friday evening, etc.

Thus Rain Man becomes the road trip movie to end all road trip movies. Cruise and Hoffman are in an Odd Couple situation and he must learn to deal with Hoffman's idiosyncracies. Rain Man won't fly so that limits them to the old Buick and Raymond is constantly reminding whomever that "I am a very good driver."

By the end of the movie the narcissistic idiot that Cruise had been has been exchanged for a sensitive, caring individual and the director does not pull the punch by softening Rain Man one iota. No sirree, Raymond goes back totally unchanged, despite all the interaction. This leaves a lump in your throat, at least it did mine.

The MGM Special Edition DVD is presented in color, with an anamorphic 1.85:1 theatrical format print of the 134 minute movie. The Disk contains 3 separate full-length commentaries, each presenting a good deal of information that will flesh out the background of your knowledge of Rain Man. There is also a making of featurette that is basically filler. A deleted scene completes the extra content.

Rain Man won four academy awards and merited them, in my book. It is a valued part of my video collection.




Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening