Rain Man

Released in 1988, writers Ronald Bass and Barry Morrow created a compelling story by introducing many to the world of autism. These two writers brilliantly plotted the dramatic story of a brother's greed developing into love in the 1988 Oscar winning movie Rain Man. Charlie Babbitt, the first main character played by Tom Cruise, is an arrogant, selfish businessman, striving to be wealthy, but his business is failing. The second main character in the film is Raymond Babbitt, played by Dustin Hoffman, who is an autistic savant who lives and is cared for at a mental institution. Charlie receives word that his father, whom he hasn't had contact with in years, has deceased. His father left an inheritance to Charlie and his unknown (or forgotten) brother Raymond. Charlie inherited an antique 1949 Buick Roadmaster while three million dollars went into a trust fund designated to an unknown beneficiary. Charlie, who is furious, investigates this beneficiary and finds him to be Raymond. He also discovers that Raymond is his older brother, and the "rain man" he vaguely recalls from his childhood. Raymond was sent to the institution at age eighteen when Charlie was just two. Now Charlie's number one priority is to kidnap Raymond and to get part of the three million dollars that he thought was rightfully his. Charlie takes Raymond across country on a journey that would change his life forever. Throughout the adventure Raymond's unique abilities are beneficial to Charlie, but at the same time his limitations and rituals are most of the time more than Charlie has the patience for. Charlie, who didn't care for Raymond in the beginning, learns to love and develop a relationship with him. Charlie teaches and exposes Raymond to many new thing...

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...ot get any closer to "Raymond's center" other than by being an actual savant. If Mr. Hinson had researched his information on the movie as much as Hoffman researched Raymond's character prior to filming, then Hinson would probably have a different opinion on Hoffman's performance. I feel before critiquing a film a critic, especially of a well known newspaper, should always know exactly what happened before, during, and after filming.

Through the changes in setting, we are allowed to see and understand the autistic behaviors of Raymond. Hoffman gives the viewers a realistic portrayal of autism through researching and shadowing savants, and as a result, the character Raymond is believable. I hated that the movie, Rain Man, ever had to end, but I guess no matter how good of a movie it is, it always has to end sometime. This is definitely a must see for all!