Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Dustin Hoffman | ... | Raymond Babbitt | |
Tom Cruise | ... | Charlie Babbitt | |
Valeria Golino | ... | Susanna | |
Gerald R. Molen | ... | Dr. Bruner (as Jerry Molen) | |
Jack Murdock | ... | John Mooney | |
Michael D. Roberts | ... | Vern | |
Ralph Seymour | ... | Lenny | |
Lucinda Jenney | ... | Iris | |
Bonnie Hunt | ... | Sally Dibbs | |
Kim Robillard | ... | Small Town Doctor | |
Beth Grant | ... | Mother at Farm House | |
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Dolan Dougherty | ... | Farm House Kid |
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Marshall Dougherty | ... | Farm House Kid |
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Patrick Dougherty | ... | Farm House Kid |
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John-Michael Dougherty | ... | Farm House Kid |
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 1949 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",... Written by Christopher Howell (Ckhowell75360@aol.com)
Well, it took me 21 years to watch this movie.Literally, the first time when I saw this movie was when it was released and I was back then a kid of 9 years who barely could understand the delicacy of human characters portrayed in the movie.And finally when I watched the movie again, I was 30 and boy oh boy,I was blown over.What a performance by Dustin Hoffman!!!Is it his best so far?Well, may not be, coz he is such a fine actor and he has so many good movies in his kitty.But truly it was one of his most memorable ones.And Tom Cruise, oh man, this bloke can act.I have always been so much skeptic about his acting skills.But I am happy that I have been proved wrong.He can act, thats for sure and this movie is a documentary proof of it.The best thing about this movie is of course the chemistry between them, a spoilt brat and an autistic person.The director handles such an issue with such panache that you are compelled to emote with the protagonists.Valeria Golino did an excellent job in her small role.She really sparkled in the elevator scene.The rest of the cast did a fine job, too.Overall, it is a memorable movie backed by power house performances.Don't ever take the risk of missing it.