August 23, 2021
'Rain Man'
The Ringer's Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan, and Sean Fennessey got the rose bushes, they definitely got the rose bushes. They rewatch 'Rain Man,' the 1989 Academy Award winner for Best Picture starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise.
Cast
Dustin Hoffman as Raymond Babbitt
Tom Cruise as Charlie Babbitt
Valeria Golino as Susanna
Bonnie Hunt as Sally Dibbs
Directed by: Barry Levinson
Written by: Barry Morrow, Ronald Bass
Music by: Hans Zimmer
Notes
- $25 million budget, grossed $355 million – highest grossing film of 1988.
- Nominated for 8 Oscars, won 4: Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director (Levinson), Best Actor (Hoffman).
- Last film to be both the #1 grossing movie of the year AND win Best Picture – until 'Titanic'.
- Hoffman is the only actor to have top billing in three Best Picture winners: Midnight Cowboy, 'Kramer vs. Kramer', and 'Rain Man' – roughly 10 years apart each.
- Michael Ovitz sent Hoffman the script expecting him to play Charlie; Hoffman read it and said he wanted to play Raymond instead.
- During filming, Hoffman and Cruise called the movie 'Two Schmucks in a Car' and constantly worried it wouldn't work.
- All principal photography occurred during the 1988 Writers Guild strike – they winged the final scene without writers.
- The bathtub/'Rain Man' reveal scene was done in one take. Levinson said 'That's it' – both Hoffman and Cruise were surprised.
- Hoffman, Gene Hackman, and Robert Duvall were all roommates in 1960s NYC. Hoffman beat his old roommate Hackman for Best Actor at the Oscars.
- Hans Zimmer's score for 'Rain Man' was his first solo big Hollywood score.
- Tom Cruise had two of the top 10 grossing films of 1988: 'Rain Man' (#1) and 'Cocktail' (#9).
- William Goldman argued that Cruise's part was actually harder than Hoffman's, calling Hoffman's performance 'one note.'
Categories
Roger Ebert's review
Quote from Rog's review:
“Rain Man is so fascinating because it refuses to supply those questions with sentimental but unrealistic answers. This is not a movie like Charly in which there is a miracle cure.”
Most re-watchable scene
- The Vegas blackjack sequence (unanimous pick).
- The bathtub scene / 'Rain Man' reveal.
- 246 toothpicks breakfast scene.
- Charlie lets Ray go back to Wallbrook / heads touching.
What aged the best?
- Hans Zimmer's score and the music (Iko Iko).
- Charlie Babbitt's 1983 Ferrari 400i.
- Asshole Cruise – his dickish performance.
- Valeria Golino.
- The Hangover's parody of 'Rain Man' as an addendum.
- Cruise's 1988 – 'Cocktail' and 'Rain Man', biggest under-35 star in the world.
- Qantas Airlines – still no crashes.
What aged the worst?
- The Oscar bait run of disability movies it spawned (Regarding Henry, Nell, I Am Sam, 'Scent of a Woman', Awakenings).
- Too many Lenny/car import subplot scenes.
- Tom Cruise trying to smoke cigarettes – clearly never smoked in his life.
Casting what-ifs
- CAA originally wanted Dustin Hoffman as Charlie and Bill Murray as 'Rain Man'.
- Martin Brest, Spielberg, and Sydney Pollack were all circling as directors.
- JT Walsh was supposed to play Dr. Bruner but had a conflict – Levinson stepped in himself.
Over-acting award
- Tom Cruise – the scene in the desert punching air and screaming.
- Cruise in the Missouri hotel room ranting and making phone calls.
Best "that guy"
- Nick Mazzola – the blackjack dealer at Caesar's Palace (real-life dealer, also in Vegas Vacation and 'Casino').
- Vern (Raymond's caretaker at Wallbrook).
- Barry Levinson as Dr. Bruner – was improvising to get under Cruise's skin.
Re-casting couch
- Iris the hooker – could have been Markie Post or Laura San Giacomo.
- Joey Pantoliano as Lenny – the Cruise/Guido reunion from 'Risky Business'.
Half-assed (internet) research
- Hoffman and Cruise called the movie 'Two Schmucks in a Car' during filming.
- All principal photography during the 1988 Writers Guild strike – winged the final scene.
- Hoffman thought three weeks in the movie was a disaster and told Levinson to get Richard Dreyfuss.
- When the movie appeared on airlines, they deleted all airline accident references except on Qantas which left them in.
- Hoffman, Gene Hackman, and Robert Duvall were all roommates in 1960s NYC.
Apex Mountain
- Tom Cruise – not quite (1996 with Mission Impossible + 'Jerry Maguire' is his real apex), but 1988 is a strong case.
- Dustin Hoffman – 'Kramer vs. Kramer' is his apex.
- Barry Levinson – Yes (Best Director, #1 movie at box office).
- Valeria Golino – Hot Shots.
- Qantas Airlines – Yes.
- Caesar's Palace.
- 1949 Buick Roadmaster – Yes.
Picking nits
- A 1949 Buick Roadmaster going 35 mph from Cincinnati to LA – the travel time doesn't add up.
- In Vegas, Ray's strict routine suddenly no longer matters.
- Age difference between Charlie and Raymond – Cruise and Hoffman are 20+ years apart.
- No way the casino gets that upset about them winning $89K.
What memorabilia would you want (or not want!) from the movie?
- The 1984/85 uncut baseball card top sheet from Raymond's room (Bill Simmons).
- Tom Cruise's sunglasses (Sean Fennessey).
(Probably) unanswerable questions
- Was a high-end car delivery service a viable 1980s business or just a movie idea?
- What is the economic ceiling for Charlie Babbitt's import business?
Who won the movie?
- Tom Cruise (Bill Simmons, Chris Ryan).
- Dustin Hoffman (Sean Fennessey).