Rain Man has aged like fine wine, mostly regarding the writing and the concept around the story, Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass are truly worthy of their win for Best Original Screenplay. It's a story which has been done before but with a great representation of autism and savant syndrome. Although Tom Cruise is great in the role of this three dimensional character who is arrogant and unlikable, it's hard to like him but there's character development which is a plus. Dustin Hoffman gets the MVP as he's just perfect in the role as the older brother who has autism. Regarding Hoffman's performance, Roger Ebert said, "Hoffman proves again that he almost seems to thrive on impossible acting challenges. ... I felt a certain love for Raymond, the Hoffman character. I don't know quite how Hoffman got me to do it." then gave the film three and a half stars out of four. Barry Levinson created a great film, yet not perfect.
After a selfish L. A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.
Rain Man won both the Berlin International Film Festival's highest award and the Academy Award for Best Picture in the same year. Also being nominated for seven other Oscars, winning three others (Best Director, Best Actor Hoffman and Best Original Screenplay. It became the highest-grossing film of 1988, grossing $354 million on a $25 million budget). Both a critical and box office success.
One scene I absolutely loved was the first night Raymond stayed with Charlie and Susanna, although it was kind of hard to watch, it perfectly shows how great of a drama this film is and how the actors are truly worthy of nominations for their acting performances. Without Valeria Golino's supporting performance, the scenes with Tom Cruise wouldn't be as great, it's because a great scene partner contributes to the other's own performance. What's interesting is how Dustin Hoffman has the showy part and is overlooked, Tom Cruise has so many subtle things which makes his performance on the same level, it might even be one of his best. Overall, the film has steady drama both written and directed well. Also some terrific cinematography and musical score which only enhances the film into the great drama it is. This is a film you have to see once in your life, yet it felt just a tiny bit long and repetitive, then again every scene is there for character development and to make for a satisfying conclusion to these characters. The screenplay is what makes it all work, as a worse script would have made for an average film.
After a selfish L. A. yuppie learns his estranged father left a fortune to an autistic-savant brother in Ohio that he didn't know existed, he absconds with his brother and sets out across the country, hoping to gain a larger inheritance.
Rain Man won both the Berlin International Film Festival's highest award and the Academy Award for Best Picture in the same year. Also being nominated for seven other Oscars, winning three others (Best Director, Best Actor Hoffman and Best Original Screenplay. It became the highest-grossing film of 1988, grossing $354 million on a $25 million budget). Both a critical and box office success.
One scene I absolutely loved was the first night Raymond stayed with Charlie and Susanna, although it was kind of hard to watch, it perfectly shows how great of a drama this film is and how the actors are truly worthy of nominations for their acting performances. Without Valeria Golino's supporting performance, the scenes with Tom Cruise wouldn't be as great, it's because a great scene partner contributes to the other's own performance. What's interesting is how Dustin Hoffman has the showy part and is overlooked, Tom Cruise has so many subtle things which makes his performance on the same level, it might even be one of his best. Overall, the film has steady drama both written and directed well. Also some terrific cinematography and musical score which only enhances the film into the great drama it is. This is a film you have to see once in your life, yet it felt just a tiny bit long and repetitive, then again every scene is there for character development and to make for a satisfying conclusion to these characters. The screenplay is what makes it all work, as a worse script would have made for an average film.