Rain Man (1988) Reaction & Review! FIRST TIME WATCHING!!

[@rustincohle2135]

14:24 The meaning of the words "Rain Man" is truly one of the best reveals in cinema history. In that scene, all of a sudden everything in Charlie's life made sense. The "imaginary friend" that Charlie sought comfort in when he was scared as a child was actually his brother that Charlie was too young to remember. Charlie understood his father's resentment towards him because Raymond had to be institutionalized after accidentally scalding Charlie in the bathtub when he was a toddler. And most importantly, Charlie understood why his father wouldn't let him drive the Buick-- as the car that his father allowed Raymond to drive was the only object he had left that reminded him of Raymond. In just a few short minutes, Charlie's entire perspective on the world changes. 21:22 Shan, just wanted to clarify one scene. You misunderstood why Charlie was asking the doctor why no one told him he had a brother. It wasn't Charlie's fault. Charlie ran away from home at age 16 after the "stolen" car incident. What Charlie meant was why did not one person tell him in the first 16 years of his life that he had a brother so that Charlie could have some family connection other than the strained relationship he had with his father? Why was his brother Raymond kept secret from him throughout his childhood, from ages 2-16 until he ran away? Charlie didn't walk out of that situation. Charlie didn't do anything wrong and it's completely messed up that he was led to believe that he was an only child especially since it was just him and his father growing up.

[@andreaschmall5560]

Dustin Hoffman won the best actor Oscar for his role.

[@innerguardianXIII]

As someone with Autism, I say Mr Hoffman did a fantastic job portraying someone with that version of it (there are several). An incredible actor who doesn't just act as whoever he plays, he IS that character (especially in Hook).

[@ejtappan1802]

I work at the same agency as one of the people Dustin studied for this role. He absolutely got it 100% right.

[@peterwilliamskelhorn6675]

@@ejtappan1802 I'm Autistic as well just like Dustin's character Raymond Babbitt (but not as severe.) And he did a great job

[@potterj09]

Ruuu-fiiii-oo!!! :) top 10 childhood films !

[@porflepopnecker4376]

"The Graduate" is one of the greatest classics of the 60s. Absolutely essential. "Midnight Cowboy" is a must as well.

[@evelynne2846]

Loved Hoffman in Tootsie. Very funny.

[@davidmarquardt2445]

@@evelynne2846 "MY GOD, I TOLD YOU TO GET THERAPY!"

[@nickcangemi]

Shan, please do watch The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy!

[@windsorkid7069]

Hoffman's head touch to Cruise's head wasn't in the script. Cruise said in an interview that Hoffman saying "main man" and leaning his head to Tom's was improvised. It moved Tom to tears. His reaction emotion in that poignant scene was real.

[@frogger1952]

Wow. I never heard that before. Because if it was improvised, that is one hell of a job. That's the one aspect in the Rainman character that changed, going from Vern to Charlie as the "main man". IMO, I thought that's where the movie should have ended, with Charlie looking out the window as he had done when he first said good bye to Raymond. I think the producers tacked on the train scene afterword because the ending without it may have been too much of a downer. People wanted to know that the brothers would see each other again.

[@jp3813]

The only time that Raymond makes eye contact w/ anyone is when he was saying goodbye to Charlie at the end. Barry Levinson also directed The Natural (1984) starring Robert Redford.

[@thunderstruck5484]

Great movie and that ending no matter how many times I watch it still gets me the music!

[@jp3813]

@@thunderstruck5484 Which one?

[@beatnpotatoes]

The natural is an amazing movie

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

The only time Raymond emotionally allowed himself to be touched without wigging out was when Charlie said he liked having Raymond as a brother. It was also the only time Raymond himself made an emotionally-driven physical contact with anyone, by leaning forward allowing their heads to touch. Instinctually, Charlie knew then that he could embrace Raymond's head and allowing Charlie a kiss. This validates the statement Charlie made earlier that he and Raymond made a connection.

[@jimtatro6550]

I love this movie, the chemistry between Cruise and Hoffman is awesome.

[@markplott4820]

all the time , Cruise was trying to Convert Hoffman to his faith.

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

Leonardo DiCaprio did a similarly great job as a mentally challenged brother to Johnny Depp in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." He was not a big name yet, so when I saw the movie I thought they had actually put a mentally challenged person in that role. :D

[@jowbloe3673]

27:23 - "I love the fact that they didn't change Raymond's character . . ." I agree that the big change was in Charlie, but there has to be *some* change in Raymond for a happy ending, just very subtle. 24:12 - Notice that Raymond is the one that initiates contact, and he changes his "main man" saying.

[@MarkMcLT]

Completely by chance I read your comment at the very moment I got to 27:23. Amazing to read something and hear the very same words at the same time! :)

[@phj223]

The Rain Man = Raymond reveal is on Hodor level, so moving.

[@sangfroidian5451]

He has quite a catalog; Tootsie, All the Presidents Men and The Graduate are my other favourite Hoffman films.

[@195511SM]

Papillion & Little Big Man too.......The Marathon Man (....the famous dental scene...LOL )

[@FutureBoy.]

Kramer Vs Kramer and Straw Dogs are probably my favourite Dustin Hoffman films, and both would be good for reactions. Sphere (1998) is also worth watching. It's not in the same league as the others mentioned here, but it's a solid sci-fi thriller with a great cast, and coincidentally also directed by Barry Levinson.

[@dabe1971]

@@195511SM Plus Kramer vs Kramer, Midnight Cowboy, Lenny and the under appreciated gem that is 'Stranger Than Fiction'. A film the proves Will Ferrell can act.

[@phousefilms]

"Hook" which Shan definitely needs to watch.

[@williammatthews693]

I think the original "Straw Dogs" should be on the to-watch list as well!

[@kennethbryant5573]

Dustin Hoffman is one of my favorite actors and he has a great catalog. You should definitely check out "Midnight Cowboy"(1969), "Little Big Man"(1970), "Straw Dogs"(1971) and "Lenny"(1974).

[@xcellent-records]

A great Tom Cruise movie to react to that features him in a non action role is "Jerry Maguire" [nominated Best Picture] starring Tom Cruise [nominated Best Actor]; Rene Zellweger; Cuba Gooding Jr [Winner - Best Supporting Actor]; also Nominated for: Best Original Screenplay.

[@christinegelabert1651]

@xcellent records I loved Tom Cruise's performance in Magnolia! It has an amazing cast in that movie as well. I don't know if you've ever seen it but if not? PLEASE take the time out to watch it. I guarantee that you won't be disappointed. 😉

[@zmarko]

Just finished watching, and your love, appreciation, and understanding of films continues to blow me away. You are truly one of the best movie reactors I've ever seen. Plus you love explosions. Lol. If you like road trip fun with a touch of heart type films, I suggest Midnight Run with Robert DeNiro & Charles Grodin. Amazing movie, and completely underrated. Keep up the great work, Shan. PS - Midnight Run was directed by Martin Brest, the man who directed Beverly Hills Cop.

[@jowbloe3673]

Love *Midnight Run.*

[@danusmc3]

Hoffman won an Oscar. And though most people don't care for Cruise. His performance was criminally UNDERRATED in this and he deserved recognition for his portrayal.

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

The interesting thing about Charlie is his behavior. Raymond constantly fiddles with his pinkie finger when he's anxious. At the Casino, Charlie is seen anxiously fiddling with his pinkie. One example precursor of who Raymond is, is at the reading of the will, well before Raymond is introduced in the story. Charlie exhibits the exact speech pattern of repetition as Raymond--with Charlie saying, "I got the rose bushes. I got the rose bushes. I definitely got the rose bushes." Tom's performance is sublime, throwing subtle indicators an audience's way without them catching any until re-watching. This is so difficult for an actor to achieve, without being heavy-handed and giving the game away. Tom gets the reviews but rarely the award.

[@danusmc3]

@@PhantomFilmAustralia exactly! He killed this role.

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

@@danusmc3 Fucking crushed it!

[@antimonycup7066]

The Graduate is great and so is Good Morning Vietnam. Movies like Rain Man or I Am Sam cannot be made anymore today because some people have got it in their head that without the correct 'lived experience' you're not allowed to portray certain roles, in spite of the essence of acting being 'pretending to be someone you're not',

[@Rocket1377]

Yes, and it means that Daniel Day Lewis wouldn't be able to play the lead character in My Left Foot today, which was his big break. Just think of all the amazing actors who will potentially miss out on career-changing roles, due to how they are being limited in what parts Hollywood will "accept" them to play now. It's very sad.

[@antimonycup7066]

@@Rocket1377 I wanted to mention him too, but I couldn't think of the title of the film off the top of my head, so thank you.

[@doobernow]

Your comment reminded me of Tropic Thunder. Lol But yeah, movies like this can't be made now. I have to say though Freddie Highmore in The Good Doctor is so good. I'm so glad cancel culture hasn't come down on him in the role of Shaun.

[@reddwarf3069]

“The Graduate” is 100% worth reviewing!

[@markplott4820]

are you on Prescription Medication ?...........lol.

[@thegorn68]

To me, Rain Man is one of the films from the late 80's/early 90's that I put in a group of what I call "Forgotten Gems" as time goes by and I love it when I finally see someone do a reaction video to one. Other films in this group I feel strongly about are The Fisher King (1991), Awakenings (1990), etc. In fact, if you like Hoffman's performance here, watch Deniro's physically challenging role in Awakenings.

[@annalieff-saxby568]

Oh, my! The Fisher King! An absolute favourite of mine, and one I'd love to see Shan's reaction to.

[@focalized]

It won best picture, hardly forgotten. But missed out by a lot people somehow. Timing between generations maybe

[@jaydisqus3353]

The movie introduced the idea of autism to a lot of people.

[@Flareontoast]

It did. It's got its pros and cons. Personally I find it sad that there's not been any other piece of media in the meantime which was as influential as Rainman, with maybe some representation that focussed on people other than white men or little boys...

[@shainewhite2781]

I'm on the spectrum too. But not like Rain Man. I'm very out going and get into conversations with others. I'm high functioning.

[@hannibal5009]

Marathon man and papillion are great Hoffman movies.....

[@markplott4820]

is it......SAFE ?

[@xcellent-records]

A great movie to react to with a timely theme is "Outbreak" starring Dustin Hoffman (and an all star cast of) Morgan Freeman, Donald Sutherland, Renee Russo, Cuba Gooding Jr, Kevin Spacey and Patrick Dempsy.

[@thewinner7382]

That movie kinda sucks tho. Good first half crappy second half.

[@miqx1977]

Please consider watching Levinson's "Wag The Dog" with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman. It's a very interesting political satire. It's as relevant today as it was in the 90s.

[@chefskiss6179]

I loved your enthusiasm watching this gem. I really felt like I was watching it for the first time, so thanks for that. I hope you get to Cruise's The Firm one day :)

[@FutureBoy.]

I always liked The Firm more than most other people. It's worth watching just for the cast. Tom Cruise, Gene Hackman, Ed Harris, Holly Hunter, Wilford Brimley, Gary Busey, Jean Tripplehorn, Tobin Bell.

[@chefskiss6179]

@@FutureBoy. It was one of those movies where I could easily see how this was a page turner; yeah, that cast. It was such an old-school pot-boiler. Even that recruiter, just sitting on the bench spouting his lines, so understated, yet so riveting if not chilling. I've loved Brimley since Electric Horseman... "I don't want your money...". SO good :)

[@HelenaDax]

Daniel Day-Lewis in My Left Foot is a marvel too. He plays a character from real life, an Irish painter with cerebral palsy if I'm not mistaken. Amazing.

[@rxtsec1]

Daniel day won his first of 3 Oscars for that. Ironically he beat Tom Cruise for Born on the 4th of July that year. I thought Cruise should have won but suggests Day Lewis was the right choice cause the man went on continuing to win Oscars

[@ThatShyGuyMatt]

This movie and I am Sam are my fav movies revolving around someone disabled. Both actors in these two movies did an amazing job. Being disabled I had friends like both of the charecters. So accurate.

[@Drawkcabi]

I am so glad you chose to watch this film!!! I've always loved it! I saw it in the theater when it came out and was very surprised how much I loved it, I just wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was in the ways it was. It was a lot funnier than I expected and really well done. The road trip story was so engaging and the Las Vegas part was so neat. The score of this movie is my favorite Hans Zimmer score. I'm not too much of a fan of Zimmer (please don't hate me!) I much prefer John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, Alan Silvestri, Bill Conti, James Horner, Danny Elfman...as you can see, I have many composers I love, I've just only rarely connected with Zimmer's work. Rain Man is one of those rare ones, it's up there with some of my favorite soundtracks. Fun fact: Barry Levinson played the arbitrator at the end of the film. Something else that's kind of fun...take note of in how many Tom Cruise movies he has a character close to him named "Raymond". It happens pretty frequently, even as a brother again in some films. If you see any other Barry Levinson films you *must* see Sleepers!!! It is such an amazing movie, but also be prepared for the tone to get pretty dark. Good Morning Vietnam is great too! I also like, but don't love, Levinson's "Baltimore Trilogy": Diner Tin Men Avalon I find in all of them wonderful characters played by terrific actors, but in my opinion, in each film there are times when the story gets bogged down. Watching your reaction to Rain Man has been a real treat! Thanks! Best Regards!

[@danielfortier2629]

Great reaction! My son is a severely affected Fragile X Syndrome man. Fragile X has MANY similarities with Autism, so I can totally relate to Raymond. I remember when this movie came out, sitting in the theatre and the audience laughing at the things Raymond did that my son also did, it REALLY hurt! I felt like they were laughing at my son, something no one has ever did in real life. I love this movie because so many things Raymond does or says that my son does and says too; the slipper placement near the bed, the table in front of the TV, the humming in the car (although he grew out of that), never looking at the person to talks to him, freaking out and being violent, etc. Unfortunately my son's development is much more limited than the way Raymond is portrayed. My son is now 38 years old, still lives at home, and he is a very happy person. Everyone loves him. If it wouldn't be for his fits that come out of nowhere when we least expect them, life would be great with him! What saddens me about watching this movie today is I can relate to the estrangement from my older son. This son who refuses to communicate with me in any way and it's been over 14 so far! Sad!!! Unlike Raymond and Charlie's father, the estrangement was not my fault but that of my son. So I can relate to the deceased father!

[@lynnesears6254]

Way back in the olden days I enjoyed "Tootsie" along with much of the country. It didn't win "Best Picture" but it was in the running. I enjoyed your reaction to "Rainman". Hoffman was extraordinary!

[@xcellent-records]

"We got to see a wide variety of locations..." True story. Parts of the driving/farm town areas were filmed in Pahrump, Nevada (small town outside Las Vegas). They filmed the car driving down one side of the highway that had mountains in the background. After they were done filming those shots, they set up and filmed the car going down the same stretch of highway just in the opposite direction because the other side of the highway had desert in the background.

[@krissiep1317]

Only place in U.S. where prostitution is legal!

[@timdenier3021]

The beginning scenes were shot around Cincinnati

[@ejtappan1802]

I didn't realize that. How cool. (Love that area of the country. )

[@DougRayPhillips]

You're thinking about doing "The Graduate"? That came out when I was still in high school, and now I've been retired for seven years. But yeah, do it. Mike Nichols was a very efficient director. Only shot the scenes he needed. For "The Graduate," he used existing Simon & Garfunkel hit songs in a new context, and had Paul Simon write "Mrs. Robinson" for the film (the implied subject matter of the snippet in the film is different from the content of the full version that S&G released as a single). Dustin Hoffman (Benjamin) and Anne Bancroft (Mrs. Robinson) were really only six years different in age. But with makeup and mannerisms, it's believable that they're a whole generation apart. The minor role of the cuckolded Mr. Robinson is played by Murray Hamilton, who was also the Mayor in "Jaws."

[@MAGAveritas]

The "Mrs Robinson" song was already written as "Mrs Roosevelt", a tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt. Simon & Garfunkel reworked it to fit the film.

[@jacobjones5269]

A timeless classic.. You nailed it.. Raymond will never change.. It’s Charlie who changes..

[@maverickslb80]

Hoffman is exceptional but so is Cruise. So underrated. Deserved an Oscar as well.

[@frogger1952]

Not a big Cruise fan, but I think you are 100% correct here. In some ways, he had the more difficult role because his character changes while Hoffman's does not. And the change was seamless.

[@sntxrrr]

All the Presidents Men, The Graduate and Midnight Cowboy are indeed all great Hoffman movies but a personal favorite of mine is the thriller Marathon Man.

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

The interesting thing about Charlie is his behavior. Raymond constantly fiddles with his pinkie finger when he's anxious. At the Casino, Charlie is seen fiddling with his pinkie. One example precursor of who Raymond is, is at the reading of the will, well before Raymond is introduced in the story. Charlie exhibits the exact speech pattern of repetition as Raymond--with Charlie saying, "I got the rose bushes. I got the rose bushes. I definitely got the rose bushes."

[@CaddyJim]

The *Vegas* scene coming down the escalator in suits & counting cards is parodied in *(The Hangover)*

[@lethaldose2000]

Hey Shan. Dustin Hoffman's acting was next level in this movie. I saw him in so many of his hits like, "Tootsie", "Urban Cowboy", "Outbreak", "The Graduate" and on and on. Hoffman has maybe 10-15 top 200 movies ever made in his filmography. As I was saying CB. I saw him act like a normal person. To see him become Rain Man show me what amazing acting could be. WOW. This is the type of acting transformation that will give you goosebumps.

[@brittyn]

* Midnight Cowboy 😎

[@brittyn]

You MUST see Midnight Cowboy! Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight are SO GOOD in it!

[@lewis9702]

Barry Levinson is from my hometown of Baltimore, and also made a film about late 1950's Baltimore called "Diner". The film has a lot of references to the Baltimore Colts football team who gave the city their first major Sports Championship when they won the NFL title in 1958.

[@tonyponchopeters]

I believe the Dr. In the end dressed in blue questioning Raymond is the director Barry Levinson.

[@clash5j]

You are correct, sir!

[@ResidentPetrolhead]

As fine as Hoffman's performance was, the more you watch the film, the more you begin to see that it's Cruise's performance that drives it. It's a less showy, pyrotechnic performance than Hoffman's, but in many ways it's arguably the more difficult of the two to pull off, and Cruise nails it. I wouldn't necessarily say Hoffman's work in it is overrated, but Tom Cruise's work in it certainly is underrated.

[@johngarcia7774]

Well said and I totally agree.

[@Mr.Ekshin]

I disagree... any one of a hundred young, decent actors of this time period could have pulled off Cruise's role. But there were only a few actors on the planet that could have pulled off Hoffman's role.

[@MsMelyjean]

This movie still makes me cry. IThe nuanced relationship between Charlie and Raymond always gets me. I think that Susannah had to temporarily leave in order for the brothers to discover each other. If she stayed, Charlie's attention would have been focused on her and she would've been taking care of Raymond. In her absence, Charlie was forced to get to know and care for his brother.

[@gregfeasel5874]

Great reaction Shan. Rain Man is one of my favorite films of all-time. Here's some interesting trivia for you: Rain Man was nominated for 8 Oscars, and won 4. It won picture, director, original screenplay, and of course best actor for Hoffman. The character of Raymond was modeled after Kim Peek, a real-life "mega-savant". Hoffman and the creators of the film spent time with Mr. Peek and learned about his quirks. Back in the 1980s, people didn't know much about autism and its complexity. It was one of those "eye-opening" films. Dustin Hoffman and Barry Levinson re-teamed up for a political satire called "Wag the Dog". It is a fairly popular film - got nominated for best actor for Hoffman and best adapted screenplay. Yes for The Graduate. Midnight Cowboy (Best Picture winner), Kramer vs. Kramer (Best Picture winner. Hoffman and Streep won as well), Tootsie, Marathon Man, and Straw Dogs are other great Hoffman pictures.

[@dances4980]

much of this film was shot in my hometown Cincinnati! i love seeing my city in movies. thanks shan

[@autohmae]

Everytime I see you are doing a reaction to a movie like this: I first up vote and then watch the video. :-)

[@jeffburnham6611]

Raymond does not have a fear of flying. Like many people with ASD, he processes the 5 senses differently. Every aspect of their lives is a strictly followed routine, from what to eat and when, what to do and when, etc. People with ASD process the senses differently, so even a minor change to their schedule throws them into confusion that they can't process and they withdraw deep into their own minds. It's terrifying to see irl...my nephew is autistic though not to extreme of Raymond.

[@jayge17]

There are few films that move me to tears, and with most of the ones that do, upon rewatches, that feeling fades. This film is the only one I can think of that has never lost that power to bring tears to my eyes. And the amazing thing is, this was true both before and after my daughter was born, and she has moderate autism. Almost like the cosmos aligned just for me to help understand the beauty of my child's condition rather than the potential burdens of dealing with it as a parent. My favorite story regarding this film is how initial test audiences were upset that there wasn't a breakthrough with Raymond and a happier ending. So the producers wanted Barry Levinson to reshoot the ending and have Raymond finally make eye contact with his brother while sitting on the train in the final scene. Levinson refused, said it would betray the character. Raymond was never meant to change, beyond a couple subtle things like spelling out Charlie's name. The character arc was 100% Tom Cruise, and to this day still holds up better than any drama I can think of.

[@rosenfield10]

Hoffman in "Tootsie" is my all-time favorite lead male performance ever. Favorite film by Levinson is "The Natural".

[@deannacrownover3]

The Graduate really put Dustin Hoffman on the map. (Paul Simon does the music...you'll meet the real Mrs Robinson!) It's a must see classic! P.s. Tom Cruise said that Dustin Hoffman played his part so effectively that a lot of the frustration and loss of temper he (Cruise) displays throughout the movie was real. He said he'd had no idea how difficult it was to try and run dialogue with someone who refused to look him in the eyes and seemed to truly not acknowledge anything other than his own world. It gave him a whole new perspective on not only what autistic and savant people seemed to live with, but what dedication it took to be the caregiver to such a dynamic type of person.

[@theDarkElfX]

This movie won "Best Picture" in 1986. Others on par with this film in terms of story and quality are Glory, Million Dollar Baby, and Minority Report.

[@leslie2149]

This is a wonderful film. I remember hearing Dustin Hoffman talk about the fact that most characters in a movie have an arc, they go through changes (like Charlie did) but the character of Raymond doesn't do that. By the end of the film he's still basically the same person he was at the start. And Dustin said that was unusual. Secondly, he actually spent time with people with autism and took the time to learn about it so he could better portray it onscreen. An awesome job by both actors. Thanks for watching it.

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

There was a small, but powerful change in Raymond. It was his trust. The only time in the entire movie Raymond emotionally allowed himself to be touched without wigging out was when Charlie said he liked having Raymond as a brother. It was also the only time Raymond himself made an emotionally-driven physical contact with anyone, by leaning forward allowing their heads to touch. Instinctually, Charlie knew then that he could embrace Raymond's head and Raymond allowing Charlie a kiss. This validates the statement Charlie made earlier that he and Raymond made a connection.

[@erin.v.m657]

I saw this film in the theatre never knowing that an autistic son would come into my life within a few years. ❤ An absolutely brilliant film.

[@JunoReactor77]

This was loosely based on a real person too. Kim Peek. They called him the megasavant. He memorized over 12,000 books and could read and memorize two books at the same time (one with each eye)! It's really amazing what he was capable of.

[@roaringviking5693]

Yes, and there are documentaries about Kim Peek here on KZbin which are well worth a watch.

[@MrVvulf]

He could also tell you the day of the week for any date in history with super fast mathematical calculations.

[@kenlangston3451]

A Few Good Men is an essential Tom Cruise movie with an amazing cast.

[@sethball2475]

One of your Commenters has actually picked Straight Time as their fave Dustin Hoffman film; I don’t know if I can go that far…but it’s well worth checking out, as a neglected or ‘lost’ Hoffman film. You also get a young Kathy Bates, Gary Busey, Harry Dean Stanton, and a more than decent Crime plot. Anyway, I think this, Rain Man, could be my favourite Hoffman film, because I don’t know how he did what he did, here - beyond even Marathon Man, Kramer vs. Kramer, or his amazing Comedy Romance, Tootsie.

[@classiclife7204]

I always want to recommend "Straight Time" when it comes to Hoffman movies, but I figure it's hard as hell to find, and probably more gritty, grimy, and depressing than most people want to deal with. It's a minor masterpiece, though.

[@sethball2475]

@@classiclife7204 I actually got put on to it when some magazine put it on a list of ‘Best Lost Movies’ - this was when it was still a DVD/Blu-Ray culture, and ‘lost’ meant that the films were not available, and had not been, for many many years. This turned out to be a fun list to pick movies off of to watch, because many of the films seemed to suddenly show up on disc, right after I glommed onto the list, and I had been figuring it would just be a frustrating film list to try and conquer. Straight Time is probably the best film I have watched, from tracking that list (I had already seen Seconds).

[@classiclife7204]

@@sethball2475 Great comment! Yeah, I can't even remember where I saw this - I know it was before UCLA, might have been good ole TCM late at night or something. As for "Seconds", I'd recommend THAT more, but it's hard to convince the kids that Rock Hudson in such a role was once considered shocking. I mean, you have to explain who Rock Hudson was, etc. It's exhausting.

[@sethball2475]

@@classiclife7204 Seconds was doomed in 1966, but has come into its own as the years have passed. Director John Frankenheimer said it best: “We had a problem…people who like movies like Seconds don’t want to see Rock Hudson in it; and people who like Rock Hudson don’t want to see him in a movie like this.”. The fact is, Rock Hudson is a revelation in it, and he was very proud of his work in such a strange, terrifying Thriller. Meanwhile - Straight Time…I think Dustin Hoffman started out as the Director of Straight Time, but came to feel a bit out of his element, and so hired someone to take over. I have no idea if any of Straight Time is scenes actually directed by Hoffman.

[@frogger1952]

That's odd as Hoffman hated the way Straight Time was edited and released. I believe he sued the production company.

[@Teeb2023]

Can't think of a better "reactor" to this movie. So good to see someone react to movies I'd seen decades ago. :)

[@kennethspears22]

Barry Levinson is from my hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. A few of his earlier films are films about life in Baltimore from the 1950's and 60's (Diner, Tin Men, Liberty Heights) all shot in Baltimore.

[@tommy5675]

I think that you'd love the film "My Left Foot" Daniel Day-Lewis' type of method acting earnt him Best actor for this film

[@karmashim3971]

You are a superb movie reviewer. An absolute pleasure to watch. Always looking forward to your next one.

[@rrrvvvv999]

Hadn't seen this in years, thanks Shan. You mentioned Rain Man being referenced often in pop culture. I'm reminded, if you've seen it about the movie Swingers. If you've seen it, you might not remember as they are driving to Vegas in the "Vegas, baby, Vegas" scene Vince Vaughn's character tells Jon Favreau's whilst talking up their chances of winning money at the casinos ... "they're gonna give daddy the Rain Man suite. You dig that?" If you haven't seen it, was Jon Favreau's first screenplay and Vaughn's first leading role and became a much loved movie with time. An all time fave for myself. I think you'd really enjoy it.

[@KabukiKid]

Barry Levinson (the director) also has an uncredited role at the end of the movie as the doctor who is interviewing Raymond asking him where he wants to stay.

[@allencouch683]

Little Big Man is an awesome Hoffman movie, in my Native Americans of the plains class my teacher made us watch it for it's historical accuracy.

[@focalized]

The Abbott and Costello thing is great because the whole interaction between Charlie and Raymond is like a comedy duo and joke in a way.

[@Pengi_SMILES]

Barry Levinson is pretty underrated nowadays but this, The Natural, Goodmprning Vietnam and Sleepers are all brilliant. You should definitely react to Goodmorning Vietnam, an amazing performance by Robin Williams.

[@tobybostick5570]

That card dealer is the same from Casino, and Vegas Vacation. I was lucky enough to have him as a dealer a few times before he died. RIP Nick!

[@111SweetP]

I love the detail in this movie. Charlie and Raymond both say “definitely” a lot. They even pronounce it the same way.

[@deedeestardust2535]

I’m loving your channel more and more! Great reaction! You definitely should watch “Kramer Vs. Kramer”, Dustin Huffman is superb there along with Meryl Streep and “Jerry Maguire”, Tom Cruise at his best!

[@danholmesfilm]

The Graduate is near Perfect and insanely influential and groundbreaking narratively for it's time. Few movies are worth a watch as much as that one. A true game changer... if you get it.

[@bunpeishiratori5849]

The Graduate is indeed a great movie and I would love for him to review it, especially since it's a movie I don't see any other reviewers doing. It's a bit dated perhaps, but I think Shan is such an excellent reviewer that he'll appreciate its datedness.

[@KBH27]

This movie is so classic & amazing. When it came out most people never heard of Autism. Now it's so well known. So many have it to some degree or another. Like me, many have Asperger syndrome, which is a condition on the autism spectrum. Some more high functioning than others, just like Autism. My niece is Autistic. Thankfully, she can speak / communicate pretty well. More people need to truly understand it or at least accept it. Acceptance & respect are what matter most. You are the 4th reactor to do this movie , as far as i know. Rain Man was based on a real guy. He was also a savant. Not all autistic persons are savants, and not all savants are autistic. Savants have unique and extreme abilities in one area, like counting/math/incredible memory

[@Blue-qr7qe]

Wonderful, wonderful film. I think Tom Cruise's acting really matured with this film. Another somewhat similar film which came out around the same time-frame was AWAKENINGS starring Robin Williams and Robert Dinero. I'd love to see your reaction to that as well. Good job - 'enjoyable watch.

[@kenlangston3451]

I worked at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas and during orientation they took us to the Rain Man suite. It was very extravagant.

[@SeanVito]

Great movie. I knew an autistic, and also dated an autistic that was on the higher functioning spectrum. They are very different people, I don't want to call them "mentally challenged" or "handicapped." They are literally just different. They think in a TOTALLY different way. But because of that, they are very hard to talk to or relate feelings.

[@auPretender]

One thing I really appreciate with this film, even though it is hard to watch, is the frustration and even callous way Charlie treats Raymond before he bonds with him. It makes it more emotionally jarring for him when Raymond pushes him away as he tries to hug him. I think the modern take is to soften these moments to make it more palatable. That's not reality when dealing with such a complex condition. I agree with others, that the change in Charlie, because of Raymond's influence on him, is so important. It's not heavy handed, and left me feeling that he would stay connected to his brother and be a more understanding person. We know so much more about the spectrum now, but the ambiguous side of Raymond and his emotions, is appropriate because it's not false. Also because sadly, some of us may never truly be able to know the secrets in the mind of a person on the spectrum (depending on the severity of the condition). Always such a great take on films. Terrific work 👍

[@t0dd000]

Cruise. As I always say ... He's such a bizarre and creepy dude, but damn, he's a good actor. Hoffman is just amazing. Always.

[@beckymellon8135]

I forgot about all the Presidents men a great older movie about watergate with Dustin Huffman and Robert Redford, it’s 👍

[@chrissmith6097]

Phone Booth, released in 2002, is the definition of a movie that couldn’t be made today. It’s crazy that a movie’s plot centered around not being able to leave something that was dying out even then and there’s no trace of 20 years later.

[@CaptainDansWanderings]

Great reaction and review. My favorite Hoffman movies are Straight Time, Marathon Man and Midnight Cowboy.

[@creech54]

The doctor, questioning Raymond near the end of the movie, was played by Barry Levinson.

[@markplott4820]

I thought it was Phillip Seymour Hoffman ?

[@creech54]

@@markplott4820 The guy with kinda long hair and glasses who asks Raymond if he wants to live with Charlie and if he wants to live at the home and he says "Yes" to both. That's director BL.

[@markplott4820]

@@creech54 - yes, I know , was trying to be Funny.

[@creech54]

@@markplott4820 Shoulda used one of these. 🤣

[@bigneon_glitter]

👉 _Tootsie_ (1982) starring Dustin Hoffman 👉 _The Natural_ (1984) directed by Barry Levinson _Rain Man_ is popular but the above are the hit masterpieces to know.

[@Strazman]

Some points: You made some interesting observations throughout the film when you kept mentioning how Tom Cruise's character seems to slowly change. Roger Ebert, in his original review of the film back in '88, mentioned how this wasn't a film about how Hoffman's character would somehow and unrealistically change - it was about the transformation and change of Cruise's character. Two strong recommendations for Barry Levinson films (obviously, he's got some very well-known ones); but I would recommend Disclosure, a smart and intense suspense thriller with some big names in it; and Toys, a little more well-known than Disclosure, but nonetheless intriguing in its own way and starring the great Robin Williams. Just some fun trivia for you - Barry Levinson plays a cameo in this movie as the doctor at 22:57

[@ll7868]

We had a bridge with metal grates that hummed when cars drove on it when I was a kid, it's been replaced with a normal bridge. Me and my grandma called it The Singing Bridge because it sounded like a chorus of singers. Dustin's performance is so childlike it brings me back to my own childhood memories.

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

Great movie. I saw this one in the theater, but I had no idea what the movie was about, I just went because of Tom Cruise. I have had a man crush on Tom Cruise since my brother took me to see Risky Business in the theater when I was 14. :)

[@davidmeir9348]

Saw it in theatre. It made me cry, I thought Hoffman gave one of the best performance ever.

[@ShanWatchesMovies]

It was certainly the best I've ever seen him David

[@dabe1971]

The film that showed Cruise could actually act - a shame that he was facing the tour-de-force that is Hoffman.

[@markplott4820]

are you on Prescription Medication ?............lol

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

Working with or playing against somebody who is better than you makes you elevate your own performance.

[@ejtappan1802]

Probably facing off with Hoffman is what brought the best out in Cruise.

[@VelkanAngels]

I don't think it's that Hoffman was so much better than Cruise, but rather that Hoffman's character required a precise and sort of extreme performance, whereas Cruise portrayed a normal character (in comparison). In other words, there wasn't nearly as much noticable for Cruise to act out. Not saying this as some hardcore fan of either btw, it's just something I've generally noticed. Same with voice impersonations. If one person was asked to immitate Stephen Colbert's voice and another was asked to immitate Morgan Freeman's voice and they both did it perfectly, people would be much more impressed by the Morgan Freeman impersonation, cause his voice is very characteristic, whereas Stephen Colbert's voice could pretty much belong to any random guy. Most probably wouldn't have been able to identify it as specifically being Colbert, if not told beforehand. Definitely not the case for Freeman.

[@PhantomFilmAustralia]

@@VelkanAngels The most difficult thing for an actor to play is normal.

[@SoadxWomen]

I think Susannas absence during the film had to happen, it forced Charlie to interact with Raymond personally. Charlie would have left Raymonds care to his girlfriend, and she'd have done it being the more empathetic of the two.

[@vwlssnvwls3262]

I often find myself quoting this movie, especially... for no reason... "97 X.. BAAAM!! The future of Rock 'n' Roll!" :D

[@lindataggart2087]

I have a really cool experience about the character that Dustin Hoffman in this movie... I used to work at Columbus community center in salt lake City a workshop for developmentally challenged adults.. in the 1990s... One of my clients was Kim Peeks..... Dustin Hoffman's character was based after Kim... He told me all about it in his way.. on about the filming and all.. he said he met the actors.. and Tom Cruise was okay he said... Kim went on to lecture around the world with his father about autism until he passed... We used to go to the library and he would read phone books.. I would ask him what was on a page and a specific paragraph or line or AD.. and he could tell me... But he didn't know how to tie his shoes.. and used to walk back and forth and bang his head against the wall therefore he had to wear a helmet.. extraordinary person...

[@ianmcnaney6528]

Sorry for being late to the party, but I think it is an unusually insightful reaction & review. It's hard to find coherent discussions about _Rain Man_ but you've started one. So well done!

[@futuregenerationz]

Great thorough and sensitive reaction.Certainly my favorite Cruise film. Could be remembered as Hoffman's greatest work. One Hoffman film that I really liked as well was the spy thriller 'Marathon Man'.

[@totomomo18]

Great movie. You should see other great Hoffman movies like Marathon Man 1976 and Hero 1992 . Outbreak , Lenny , The Grudate. Tom Cruze need no introduction he has many great movies like A Few Good Man, Vanoila Sky, Cocktail, The Firm, Jack Reacher, Edge of Tommrow

[@dragon-ed1hz]

The doctor who questions Raymond at the end is played by the director, Barry Levinson.

[@michaeloneill3421]

Great performances from both Cruise and Hoffman! Fun fact the fart in the phooneboth was improvised by Hoffman and Cruise just went along with it. Great choice again Shan!

[@ShanWatchesMovies]

Thank you for watching Michael!

[@phj223]

That fart story and Cruise playing along is amazing, I had no idea! xD

[@truckinfool3550]

Al Pacino playing blind in Scent of a Woman was amazing, but Hoffman here is next level.

[@thegorn68]

That's Barry Levinson playing the doctor at the custody meeting. Something happened with the original actor hired for the role so Levinson did it so they could get the scene done. Pretty good job by the director there.

[@KBH27]

He was humming to the sound of the grate on the bridge. I used to do that as a kid too.

[@caseymathis9184]

What a fantastic film! I believed such from the first time I saw it on the big screen back in '88 as a teenager. I could never imagine being the mother of a person who is autistic but I believe now that God was giving me a preview of my future; Hoffman is a tremendous actor, with a catalogue of tremendous films to carry with him, such as Tootsie, All the President's Men, The Graduate, and others. Because I know how difficult it can be to understand autistic people, mentally and emotionally, I have often wondered how he was able to connect with this character? Excellent performance, and thanks for your reaction 😊

[@michaelsegriff3362]

The psychiatrist who interviewed Raymond near the end of the film was played by director Barry Levinson. I recommend Marathon Man. Hoffman, Roy Scheider and Sir Laurence Olivier, as a chilling Nazi war criminal.

[@danielallen3454]

My personal favorite Levinson films are 'Young Sherlock Holmes' (which is exactly what it says on the poster. Holmes and Watson if they had first met at boarding school), and 'Toys'. Toys stars Robin Williams in full force and was *torn apart* by critics. But I found it captivating and moving. You just have to surrender to the whimsy.

[@irakopilow9223]

This movie will be a classic and well liked for decades to come. Tom Cruise's character was predictable for the most part, but he becomes an actual human with empathy for others. Dustin Hoffman was absolutely brilliant. Perhaps he cut his teeth in this type of person was in his performance in Midnight Cowboy.

[@ernestitoe]

That was Levinson playing the psychiatrist. One of my favorites of his is Diner (1982), the first movie he directed.