Today’s quick review: Rain Man. Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is a sharp, young businessman who only thinks of himself. His selfish attitude comes back to bite him when his wealthy father leaves him out of his will in favor of Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), the mentally challenged brother he never knew he had. Trying to get a piece of the inheritance, Charlie embarks on a cross-country roadtrip with Raymond that brings him closer to his newfound brother.
Rain Man is a drama about a self-centered hotshot and his autistic savant brother. Rain Man follows the Babbitts on a car trip across the country that introduces Raymond to the world outside his hospital room and Charlie to something more valuable than money. An innovative premise, two talented leads, and a suitable balance of dramatic moments and lighter ones make Rain Man a worthwhile watch. However, what it offers will not appeal to everyone.
The star of the show is Dustin Hoffman, whose skillful portrayal of Raymond is the film’s distinguishing feature. Raymond’s unusual brain makes him prone to repetition, easily overwhelmed, and unable to express himself, as well as giving him a remarkable ability to calculate and remember numbers. Watching Raymond interact with the broader world is a rewarding experience as much for his failures as for his successes.
Hoffman is balanced perfectly by Tom Cruise, who plays the sharp, ambitious, and cold character of Charlie Babbitt. Charlie’s self-serving personality leads him to see Raymond as an inconvenience at best, an obstacle to be overcome to claim his inheritance. But over the course of their journey, he comes to understand his brother more deeply. Their relationship is the heart of the film, and its nuanced nature gives Rain Man the depth it needs.
Watch Rain Man if you’re interested in a character-focused tale of brotherhood. Rain Man has the raw craftsmanship to achieve what it sets out to do, and the lives of Charlie and Raymond Babbitt are well worth following. How much their story will resonate will come down to taste, though. Viewers who prefer plot-driven stories, high-stakes drama, or fictional character quirks as opposed to real mental disorders will want to steer clear.
For another moving drama about a man with an unusual mind, try Good Will Hunting or A Beautiful Mind. For a wry, sentimental comedy with a similar lead, try Being There. For a drama that doubles down on Charlie Babbitt’s hard-nosed style of doing business, try Glengarry Glen Ross. For another thoughtful film starring Dustin Hoffman, try The Graduate. For a lowbrow comedy about mismatched brothers, try Twins.
8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for strong acting and an effective story; your score will vary.