Rain Man is a 1988 American road comedy-drama film directed by Barry Levinson and written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass.
It tells the story of abrasive, selfish young wheeler-dealer Charlie Babbitt, played by Tom Cruise, who discovers that his estranged father has left the majority of his estate to his other son, Raymond, an autistic savant played by Dustin Hoffman, of whose existence Charlie was unaware.
The film received critical and commercial success, grossing $354 million on a $25 million budget. It won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman. The movie is praised for its direction, performances, screenplay, cinematography and portrayal of autism.
Plot
Rain Man is a 1988 film that tells the story of Charlie Babbitt, a young wheeler-dealer played by Tom Cruise, who discovers that his estranged father has left the majority of his estate to his other son, Raymond, an autistic savant played by Dustin Hoffman. The plot unfolds as follows:
- Charlie travels to his hometown in Cincinnati, Ohio, to settle his father's estate and learns about Raymond's existence.
- Charlie is initially shocked and angry about his father's decision, feeling that he has been cheated out of his share of the inheritance.
- He kidnaps Raymond from his residential home and embarks on a cross-country trip with him, aiming to bring him back to Los Angeles.
- Throughout the journey, Charlie and Raymond's relationship develops, and Charlie begins to understand Raymond's unique perspective on life.
- The brothers' trip helps both of them find some semblance of family and leads to a deeper understanding of each other.
- In the end, Charlie decides to fight for custody of Raymond, even though Raymond's physician, Dr. Bruner, believes it's a terrible idea.
- The courts ultimately agree with Dr. Bruner, and Raymond returns to the institution, while Charlie's life takes a more altruistic turn.
Trailer
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Cast
- Dustin Hoffman as Raymond Babbitt
- Tom Cruise as Charlie Babbitt
- Valeria Golino as Susanna
- Gerald R. Molen as Dr. Bruner
- Jack Murdock as John
- Barry Levinson (director)
- Barry Morrow (screenplay writer)
- Ronald Bass (screenplay writer)
- David Rayfiel (screenplay writer)
Director: Barry Levinson
Writer: Ronald Bass, Barry Morrow
Box Office (Gross USA): $354,825,435
Distributor: MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., United Artists
Genre: Drama
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 14, 1988
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 2, 2015
Themes & Reception
The film Rain Man explores various themes, including family, brotherhood, and the challenges of living with autism. It received widespread critical acclaim for its sensitive portrayal of autism and the performances of its lead actors. The movie's reception was highly positive, and it won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Dustin Hoffman.
Challenges Faced During Production
The production of Rain Man faced some challenges, including the need to accurately portray the experiences of an autistic individual. The filmmakers worked closely with autism experts to ensure that the character of Raymond was depicted in a respectful and authentic manner.
Settings
The film is set in various locations, including Cincinnati, Ohio, where Charlie Babbitt's journey begins, and the road trip takes the characters through several states, including Ohio, Kentucky, and Nevada.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The film Rain Man employs various visual styles and techniques to convey its themes and emotions. One notable technique is the use of close-ups on the faces of the lead actors to capture their nuanced performances. The film also uses a muted color palette to reflect the somber tone of the story. Additionally, the use of handheld cameras during the road trip scenes creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy.
Trivia & Fun Fact
- The character of Raymond Babbitt was inspired by Kim Peek, a real-life savant who had an extraordinary memory and could read two pages of a book simultaneously.
- Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of Raymond Babbitt was so convincing that many people believed he actually had autism.
- The film's title, "Rain Man," is a reference to a popular children's song called "Rain Rain Go Away," which features the lyrics "Rain, rain, go away, come again another day. Little Johnny wants to play".
