Oscar Winners - Rain Man

I guess continuing in the trend of my first post, i figured i'd give my 2 cents on another classic movie that somehow eluded me all these years. I'm in the process of watching Rain Man with Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman and I must say i'm very simply blown away by Dustin Hoffman's acting. Looking back, I can't help but wonder, where is the Tom Cruise that did movies of this high quality. His recent flicks, in my opinion, cannot compare to the Tom Cruise of Rain Man, Jerry Maguire, Top Gun and A Few Good Men.

Going back to Rain Man, for those of you that haven't yet seen it, it's a simple story of the bonding of two brothers, one of whom happens to be an autistic savant. Charlie (Tom Cruise) finds out of his estranged father's death and further realizes that his father left 3 million dollars to a benefactor Raymond, (Dustin Hoffman) Charlie's autistic brother who he doesn't know exists. Eager to get his fair share of his father's money, Charlie kidnaps Ray and holds him hostage until the trustees give him his share of the 3 million dollars. What happens after truly defines the movie as Charlie begins to bond with Ray despite his numerous quirkiness.

The movie doesn't lack its comical moments either. Although there were no scenes that made me roll on the floor laughing, the moments of comedy definitely brought a chuckle to my lips. If i had to just pick one scene to explain to you the underlying comedy, it would be the conversation below between Ray and Charlie.

Raymond: Of course I don't have my underwear. I'm definitely not wearing my underwear. Charlie: I gave you a fresh pair of mine to wear. Where are they?
Raymond: They're in the pocket of my jacket. Here.
Charlie: I don't want them back.
Raymond: These are not boxer shorts. Mine are boxer shorts. These are Hanes 32.
Charlie: Underwear is underwear, Ray.
Raymond: My boxer shorts have my name and it says Raymond.
Charlie: All right, when we pass the store, we'll pick you up a pair of boxer shorts.
Raymond: I get my boxer shorts at K-Mart in Cincinnati.
Charlie: We're not going back to Cincinnati, Ray, so don't even start with that.
Raymond: Gotta get my boxer shorts at K-Mart, 400 Oak Street, Cincinatti.
Charlie: [Pulls over, gets out of the car and yells] WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHERE YOU BUY UNDERWEAR? WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE? UNDERWEAR IS UNDERWEAR! IT IS UNDERWEAR WHEREVER YOU BUY IT! IN CINCINNATI OR WHEREVER!
Raymond: K-Mart! 400 Oak Street, Cincinatti
Charlie: You know what I think, Ray? I think this autism is a bunch of shit! Because you can't tell me that you're not in there somewhere!
Raymond: Boxer shorts. K-Mart! 400 Oak Street, Cincinatti

A blog entry doesn't do this movie justice. Although it does have its shortcomings. Very slow moving at times, the movie definitely is oscar worthy solely on dustin hoffman's performance. I wuda liked to see some more intriguing dialogues from Ray as was later done in forrest gump by Tom Hanks. Although it was necessary to maintain his character as an autistic adult, a few more enthralling dialogues couldn't have hurt. I would love to hear all of your opinions on the movie if you have seen it.