Movie Name: Rain Man
Language: English
Genre: Drama
Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise
Director: Barry Levinson
Year Of Release: 1988
When Charlie Babbitt who is struggling with a financial crisis, learns that his estranged father is now dead, he travels to Cincinnati, Ohio, in order to settle the family estate. When he learns that all that his father has left him is a classic 1949 Buick Roadmaster convertible which he and his father fought over earlier, he's disappointed. When he learns that the bulk of the $3 million estate is being directed to a mental institution, he goes there to figure out why. There he learns that the money goes to his older brother Raymond, of whom he was previously unaware of. Raymond is an autistic savant, and sticks to strict routines. He has superb recall, but he shows little emotional expression except when in distress. Charlie decides to get custody of Raymond in order to get control of the money and takes him with him.
As Raymond is afraid of flying, Charlie decides to drive up to Los Angeles. They make slow progress because Raymond insists on sticking to his routines, which include watching Judge Wapner on television every day and getting to bed by 11:00 PM. He also objects to traveling on the interstate after they pass a bad accident. Charlie is annoyed with him and wonders if they will ever make it to LA. Charlie then thinks about the turbulent relationship he shared with his parents and how his only saviour was an imaginary friend of his, the “Rain Man”. As time passes, Charlie becomes fond of his brother and wants to have a relationship with him genuinely.
But will Raymond's doctors believe Charlie's good intentions? Will Raymond have a chance at family bonding? Why did their parents hide Raymond's existence from Charlie?
What I loved about it:
Dustin Hoffman as Raymond is the best thing that could have happened to world cinema. He's spectacular in his role as is Tom Cruise as Charlie Babbitt. Charlie is the angry young man with no time or patience for Raymond's quirks! He's very clear about his intentions of having his brother only for the money earlier, but as he spends time with him, he begins to fall in love with him. Their relationship is so sweet and you can see the gradual journey of them together. The scenes in the pancake house, the one where they dance together, cannot help but bring a smile to ones face. With only a handful of characters, this movie is high on emotion. While Raymond is not “normal”, the movie doesn't make fun of him of make us feel sorry for him. The movie celebrate the love and the journey of the two brothers. Hoffman won an Oscar for his role, and he's the best Raymond there could be. So innocent, so pure, so human!
When the truth about “Rain Man” is revealed, it was so beautiful. That forms the base of their relationship and it is so heart warming to see Charlie's feelings change for his brother with time. Soon, he seems like a father to Raymond, knowing and understand every bit of his habits and quirks. While the movie has an open ending, you know that in your heart, Charlie and Raymond belong together. This will remain one of my favorite movies of all time.
Runners-up: The Reader (English), RangiTaranga (Kannada), Revolutionary Road (English).
This post is a part of the A To Z Challenge for April, where my theme for this year is Movies I Love.
