For better or for
worse, “Rain Man” is the film that introduced autism to pop culture. Dustin
Hoffman’s dedicated performance as Raymond Babbitt, an idiot savant, has been
referenced in television shows, movies, and even a Ricky Gervais monologue. The
performance earned him an Academy Award, but special mention should also go to
Tom Cruise for playing a character that begins as a greedy opportunist and
evolves into a caring individual. It seems unlikely Hoffman and Cruise could
play brothers, but the scene in Las Vegas when they dance together greatly
helps to suspend your disbelief.
This movie was a
rental from about seven years ago at my mom’s suggestion. She had seen it; I am
guessing back when it first came out in 1988, and fondly described the story and
Hoffman’s performance. I guess
anybody who was alive in the 80s saw that performance as part of that era’s pop
culture. Since I was born in the 80s and didn’t exactly feel like watching that
movie when I was two years old, renting it was a good opportunity to watch a
movie both mom and I can appreciate. Good thing, because the older I get, the
less movies we watch together. She and I aren’t going to sit down any day soon
to watch John Woo’s “The Killer.”
“Rain Man,” directed
by Barry Levinson, tells a much more family-friendly comedy/drama that can be
enjoyed by everyone. Charlie Babbitt (Cruise), a car dealer from Los Angeles is
in danger of losing a good chunk of cash if he cannot find a way to import four
Lamborghinis for his business. He believes his troubles are over when he learns
of his estranged father’s death and travels to Cincinnati for the reading of
the will. Unfortunately, all Babbitt senior left him is a classic Buick
Roadmaster and several prize rose bushes. However, three million dollars are
donated to a mental institution that is the home of Raymond (Hoffman) the
brother he never knew he had.
Raymond is autistic,
and with Hoffman’s performance it means he shows very little human expressions,
adheres to strict routines, and has superb counting skills. This is of little
interest to Charlie, who only wants a way to obtain those three millions.
Charlie essentially kidnaps Raymond and takes him on a cross-country trip to
Los Angeles where his attorneys will begin a custody battle over the money. He
will use Raymond as a bargaining chip with the hospital so they can maintain
custody of Raymond in exchange for the money. That move is so repulsive
Charlie’s girlfriend (Valeria Golino) leaves him right then and there.
The story then
switches into a road movie, hence the inheritance of a convertible, as Charlie
and Raymond drive to Los Angeles. Along the way Charlie will learn it is not
easy to take care of a mentally disabled man by himself. When Raymond misses a
part of his routine, such as watching a TV show at a specific time, he throws a
fit, forcing Charlie to find a television set as quickly as possible. He also
learns that Raymond is actually Rain Man, a protective figure from his
childhood he always thought was a figment of his imagination, and that there is
a reason his brother’s existence was kept from him.
That Charlie and
Raymond will bond by the time they arrive in Los Angeles is both inevitable and
predictable. Regardless, the movie succeeds in charming you thanks to the work
of its two leads. Hoffman is in character for the whole film, playing a man who
isn’t completely there, but still manages to develop affection towards a man
who initially wants to exploit him. Tom Cruise has a role just as challenging
by playing a man, who is greedy enough to use Raymond’s counting skills at a
Las Vegas casino, but also human enough to realize he loves his brother.
I am no doctor, I don’t
know if this is an accurate portrayal of a person with autism. However, it can’t
be denied it is an endearing performance; worthy of all the awards Hoffman won
for it. Although, having now seen “Tropic Thunder” it makes one wonder if
Robert Downey Jr. wasn’t right when he said Hoffman won because he didn’t go “full
retard” (his words) by having Raymond by a counting whiz. I just hope casinos
don’t ban autistic people out of fear they could count the cards.
Oh, and, good one Mr. Gervais.
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