Rain Man

Certainly an iconic and groundbreaking film for the time, but today it didn't impress me that much. In fact, rather than a great film, it's the great performances of the leading duo, their way they inhabit their roles is admirable and that's the main thing to watch here. Dustin Hoffman's take on the role was second to none and overall it was both a feelgood comedy road-movie and a great form of autism education for the uninitiated layperson, because that's exactly how autistic people act, look and should be seen. But apart from the above, let’s be serious, “the 24th best film in the world? It's definitely not that pivotal. Good? Yeah. But is it that good? I don't know. (14/07/2023)

Autism in mainstream packaging, i.e. with a strong non-autistic character with whom we can identify (and serving for the development of the narrative, because Ray cannot change), with the protagonist’s disorder offset by his phenomenal memory, with carefully administered “heartwarming” humour, and with the cause of all conflicts melodramatically limited to an incurable mental illness. We can ironically ridicule Levinson’s attempt to tell, with love and understanding, a story about a man for whom deeper affection for another person is an unknown emotion. However, it would not be fair to overlook the fact that Rain Man was also very tastefully made, without exaggerated sentimentality, without trying to eliminate everything that’s only slightly “uncanny”, without an entirely happy ending (brotherly love is fine, but it’s not a substitute for an institution specialising in caring for patients like Raymond). Within the boundaries of the genre, the believable transformation of Tom Cruise’s character is paradoxically aided the most by his essentially unchanging film brother played by Dustin Hoffman, who reacts slowly and differently. Though I have never actually seen Dustin Hoffman in this film. I always see only Raymond Babbitt. 85% (24/09/2013)

The only thing that was impressive about this movie was Dustin Hoffman’s (traditionally) great performance. But everything else is kind of bland, without emotions, without anything that would make this film unique. It just seems too American for me. Plus, I feel like I’m the only one who was absolutely unmoved by Cruise's supposed "transformation" from an arrogant showoff into a loving brother. A weak 4 stars. (09/08/2013)

Just by looking at the movie poster, all the feelings come back to me. Dustin Hoffman has created a new equivalent to the phrase "believable performance" and with his autistic Raymond, he surpasses all the Academy Award-winning actors in history, taking them somewhere completely different. When I eventually make a list of my favorite and most powerful acting performances, Rain Man will have a reserved spot at the top. This drama about reconciliation is common, but thanks to the subject matter and the significant differences between the two brothers, Rain Man is a brilliant achievement. (05/05/2007)

- What's it like? - Greasy. Yeah, that's one way to sum up the flick. Yes, he's a genius. Yes, he was selfish. Yes, she was pretty hot. I wish I'd seen it earlier, I probably would have given it a higher rating, but then it was over and I thought: "Is that it?" I guess I'm just too messed up... But it was fun, yeah... Rain Man is like my sister (not in terms of memory). (19/07/2009)