Review of Rain Man

Rain man is director Barry Levinson's crowning masterpiece. Featuring an all-star ensemble of Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Bonnie Hunt and Valerie Golino, it won Oscars for best director, actor and screenwriter in 1988. I must have watched this film at least a dozen times and I never tire upon viewing it in succession. It is the story of an egotistical salesman Charlie Babbitt (Cruise) who, upon learning of his father's death, is perplexed to discover that he has an institutionalized autistic savant as the brother he never knew he had. Charlie ends up going on a road trip of sorts with his brother Raymond (Hoffman) where after being annoyed with Ray's disability, discovers a love for Ray that he never knew he had. We watch as the movie takes us through plenty of luscious scenery and locale while we feel lost in the budding relationship that eventually unfolds between Charlie and Raymond Babbitt. Only a director like Levinson could pull something like this off. Everything is so carefully executed, to the masterful location planning and creative camera angles to some strikingly innovative juxtaposition. At one point near the middle of the film, we watch a shot showing us nighttime and then, without ever cutting away, show us daylight unfold in one composite shot. Furthermore, we have more Levinson trickery in the placement of promotion. At one point we see Charlie sitting in the hotel as a multitude of jump cuts show us the passage of time and we hear numerous commercials playing in the background. Whether this was intentional or not, it works well in the context of the scene. In a way, it's almost as if Levinson has broken the auteur barrier. His directorial work on Rain man is nothing short of stunning. Levinson is truly in his prime here. He even seems to bring out the best in Hoffman as we watch his character Ray constantly notice things that the average non-autistic person would take for granted (ie. the structure of a bridge for instance). I really don't have to say much about the acting. Hoffman's performance as a mentally handicapped Ray is legendary. Truly one of the most realistic performances ever brought to the screen. But it's Cruise as Charlie Babbitt that really shines. It was this film that finally showed naysayers that Cruise could actually act. I actually prefer his performance to Hoffmans! I would go as far as saying that this beats out 'Jerry Maguire' as Cruise's finest acting to date. Watch out Edward Norton! The musical compositions layered throughout Rain man remain some of my favourite of all time. Hans Zimmer has never been better; the Rain man theme song stays in your head long after you hit the stop button. He would even go on to use the same musical structure in his next movie, 'Days of Thunder', also with Mr. Cruise. Basically the entire score is an ethereal, uplifting experience in itself. Stu Linder provides excellent editing to compliment John Seale's dazzling camera work. It's a shame that Linder died only a few months ago while completing Levinson's,'Man of the Year'. I really can't say enough about this film. It's one of those movies where the viewer notices something new upon each viewing. I only just recently noticed that the photo montage on the closing credits screen are actual the pictures that Ray took while on his journey. Also look for a cameo by Levinson as the psychiatrist near the end of the picture. Truly a work of art, Rain man will shine well into the 21rst century as a fine example of classic cinema. By the way…who was on first base?

10 OUT OF 10