Rain Man

Name: Rain Man
Genre: Drama
Released: December 16, 1988
Duration: 133 min
Rating: 65
Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise

1988

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 270 Ratings

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8.5

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8.5	User Score Universal acclaim based on 270 Ratings

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Rain Man

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Movie Details & Credits

MGM/UA Distribution Company | Release Date: December 16, 1988 | R

Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise

Summary: What begins with a cold-hearted attempt by one man to steal his autistic brother's inheritance evolves into a cross-country odyssey of love, family and self-discovery.

Director: Barry Levinson

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 133 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Mike Clark

There've been few screen moments more moving this year than Cruise's initial reaction to his brother's almost superhuman math prowess. [16 Dec 1988]

David Ansen

In every detail - the superb soundtrack, the rich cinematography, the dinstinctively edgy editing - Rain Man reveals itself as a movie made with care, smarts, and a refreshing refusal to settle for the unexpected. [19 Dec 1988]

Roger Ebert

How can you make a movie about a man who cannot change, whose whole life is anchored and defended by routine? Few actors could get anywhere with this challenge, and fewer still could absorb and even entertain us with their performance, but Hoffman proves again that he almost seems to thrive on impossible acting challenges. Read full review

Dave Kehr

Though it's well directed, written and performed, Rain Main still slips irreversibly into the so-what category. [16 Dec 1988]

Staff (Not Credited)

It's a mature assignment for Cruise and he's at his best in the darker scenes. Read full review

Richard Schickel

Rain Man's restraint is, finally, rather like Raymond's gabble. It discourages connections, keeping you out instead of drawing you in. [19 Dec 1998]

Hal Hinson

It's Hoffman's failure, though, that sinks the picture. He is working here with his usual meticulousness, but there's no relaxation in his performance, no sense that he has ever merged with his subject, that he has found Raymond's center and is simply acting out of it. Read full review

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User Reviews

csw12

Apr 2, 2012

Rain Man is heartwarming and a sad film. The acting is superb by both Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. The characters validate each other's existances like no other pair in any movie, be it drama, romance or comedy.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SimonS.

Dec 5, 2007

I love this movie! So touching, so well made. Cruise and Hoffman feed well off each other, great chemistry.

2 of 3 users found this helpful

Riren

Jan 28, 2007

Those who negatively criticize Hoffman's performance likely have no experience with idiot savants. Those who negatively criticize Cruise's performance likely don't like him to begin with and don't care what he does. Here we have a bold movie; one where the veteran actor Those who negatively criticize Hoffman's performance likely have no experience with idiot savants. Those who negatively criticize Cruise's performance likely don't like him to begin with and don't care what he does. Here we have a bold movie; one where the veteran actor plays distant, and the younger actor must play to him. The characters validate each other's existances like no other pair in any movie, be it drama, romance or comedy. And Rain Man manages to pack a good deal of drama and humor into itself. This is a movie about disability and inability, but it's also about compromise, compassion and humility - each trait leading to the next. It's touching and tender in unfashionable ways. It was about damn time somebody made a movie like this.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

EssenceOfSugar

Mar 3, 2012

I would assume that because of the film's topic that this could be a tough one to handle. Autism is a touching topic, but it gives us an idea of both character's vulnerability and unstable personality. This is not supposed to be a weepy film, it is a film of beauty and wonder, of the darkI would assume that because of the film's topic that this could be a tough one to handle. Autism is a touching topic, but it gives us an idea of both character's vulnerability and unstable personality. This is not supposed to be a weepy film, it is a film of beauty and wonder, of the dark and light sides of the human condition. It just dips enough to get us to think what might be right for people with disabilities and leaves us to make our own assumptions on this sort of issue. Of course, both main characters aren't numb, sometimes they just hide their feelings away, but we can obviously see how both of their lives entwine, without turning into a tear-jerking drama. It just makes us able to view the world we live in in a different light. When it comes to these sorts of films, often you're left wondering about the uptight views of the critics and the public, ESPECIALLY THE CRITICS.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

beingryanjude

Aug 27, 2014

One of those touching films from the 1980s that'll be remembered forever. Rain Man is a genuine and humanistic, likely due to the superb performance from Dustin Hoffman.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SamSk

Jun 30, 2013

Dustin Hoffman kills it as Raymond Babbit. A touching and moving story that was worthy of winning the Oscar Best Picture, Tom Cruise's character was also brilliant but at the same time I found him very unpleasant and sometimes upset the film but him and Hoffman developed a very strong,Dustin Hoffman kills it as Raymond Babbit. A touching and moving story that was worthy of winning the Oscar Best Picture, Tom Cruise's character was also brilliant but at the same time I found him very unpleasant and sometimes upset the film but him and Hoffman developed a very strong, brotherly bond that made the film very solid.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

silverstar

May 20, 2016

Although the movie was not that impressive. This movie did cause serious harm to the reputation of autistic people. This movie basically says: "Forget Albert Einstein, this is the real autistic person." The release of this movie was detrimental to people suffering from this disorder. ItAlthough the movie was not that impressive. This movie did cause serious harm to the reputation of autistic people. This movie basically says: "Forget Albert Einstein, this is the real autistic person." The release of this movie was detrimental to people suffering from this disorder. It limited studying possibilities and general social discrimination. I'm surprized nobody citicized or sued MGM/ UA Communications or Barry Levinson over the effects of this movie.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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