The Town Herald

The netpaper about Elftowners, by Elftowners, for Elftowners.

Rain Man

As reviewed by [Linderel]



This film had long been on my list of things to watch sooner or later - indeed, I can remember picking up a copy, skimming the summary and putting it back on the shelf again several times over the last decade. Therefore, when a friend recommended it to me, citing it as something they really liked, I finally decided to watch the movie.

I have not regretted that decision for a second.

Rain Man is a powerful story about family and re-establishing ties you did not know you ever even had. Charlie Babbitt (played by Tom Cruise) is a young, arrogant businessman, all outward smoothness and composure even on the verge on bankruptcy. Despite his failing sales, he leaves on vacation to Palm Springs with his girlfriend and subordinate Susanna (Valeria Golino) - only to have to turn back due to being informed of his father's death. While he had not been on speaking terms with his father for almost a decade, Charlie still attends the funeral and later on goes to hear the will. What he finds out in the next few days comes as a complete shock.

His autistic brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), hidden from him his entire life, lives in Wallbrook, a home for the mentally challenged, and is the beneficiary of a trust that their father has left all his fortune to. Incensed by this discovery, Charlie takes his brother away from Wallbrook in order to get the money he feels entitled to - and ends up making the road trip of his life.

For much of the film, one cannot have very much sympathy for Charlie Babbitt. He is shown to be a selfish man with no patience or any real understanding for his brother at all. As for Raymond? There's not much else to do but feel sorry for him and keep on hoping that things will end well for him.

Both Cruise and Hoffman are very believable in their respective roles, but one must applaud the latter's performance in particular: he plays the part of the autistic savant perfectly. If you didn't respect his acting before, you certainly will after watching this film. Golino is also a lovely addition, in a way working as Charlie's conscience.

The soundtrack, contributed to by several artists and with a main theme composed by Hans Zimmer, complements the film wonderfully. It is a delight to listen to and while largely upbeat or neutral, it manages to accentuate the sad moments as well without underlining them too much.

Although it was made twenty years ago, the story will never get old, and it instantly gained a place among my definite favourites. Truth be told, during the last fifteen minutes or so I rather felt like crying like a baby. Touching, emotional, thought-provoking.

With no hesitation whatsoever, I give this film five stars.



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