Rainman-The Sequel Has Been Announced.
Few movies are as good as Rainman. The script is impressive, especially when contrasted with much of what Hollywood is currently producing. This film’s script is solid enough that it could have been made as a low-budget indie and still remained captivating and may have garnered some attention. The film follows Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise) as he discovers that his father left his estate to his brother, a brother Charlie doesn’t know. That brother is Raymond who is a autistic savant played by Dustin Hoffman. Personally, I feel this may be Hoffman’s greatest achievement as an actor, as his portrayal of Raymond is uniquely good and has, in fact, become part of our collective lexicon. The story unfolds as the self-centered Charlie gets to know his brother and develop a soul in the process.
Rainman along with Good Morning Vietnam, The Natural and the much over looked Wag the Dog, serves as director Barry Levinson’s greatest accomplishments. In fact, Rainman may be remembered as the finest of Levinson’s work, which outside of the four films afore mentioned has been erratic. Levinson does an exceptional job translating the script by Ronald Bass ( What Dreams May Come, the sadly overlooked gem Snow Falling on Cedars and Entrapment)and Barry Morrow. The cinematography thorough out the film is top notch but doesn’t draw attention to itself with unnecessary camera moves and dolly shots. Like most of Levinson’s successful works he lets the quality script do the talking.
Rainman’s box office with a take of over $350 million dollars is largely based upon two factors, the quality of the script and the quality of the acting. Obviously, Rainman doesn’t fit the typical blockbuster mold of being a big-budget animation, sci-fi or fantasy film, or enjoy instant name recognition, nor is it a sequel. In this regards, Rainman is all about substance and character interaction and development, and is more like Dances With Wolves than most of its blockbuster brethren. Thus I have high-hopes for the much anticipated Rainman sequel, Rainman In Vegas, Again! No just kidding. We are about another 15 years away from that level of cannibalism in Hollywood. Look for it in 2020 or so with a near comatose Hoffman in a diaper and a balding, perhaps fattened Cruise.
The success of the film is based upon the strength of its script and the acting performances. If you have not seen this flick you must, its that good.
Story A+ (Rainman is one of the strongest scripts that Hollywood has produced in the last 25 years.)
Acting A+ (Tremendous acting performances from Cruise and Hoffman bring the awesome script to life.)
Visuals B+
Originality/Innovation A+
Enjoyability Grade A+
Home Theater/HD Factor B
Overall Grade A+ (Rainman stands with Dances With Wolves as a rare blockbuster drama.)
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