Rain Man

Self-centered, avaricious Californian Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) is informed that his long-estranged father has died. Expecting at least a portion of the elder Babbitt's $3 million estate, Charlie learns that all he's inherited is his dad's prize roses and a 1949 Buick Roadmaster. Discovering that ...more

Rain Man ranks among the most popular films of the late 1980s, owing to a fine screenplay by Ron Bass and a spectacular performance by Dustin Hoffman in the title role. The film combines two of Hollywood's most successful formulas -- the "fish-out-of-water" story and the "unlikely buddies" picture, and there's even a touch of the old "rotten guy learns to be unselfish" twist added for texture. While such a film could have been typical big studio product, director Barry Levinson managed to find ...more