Genre

Drama

Directed By

Barry Levinson

Cast

Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen, Jack Murdock, Ralph Seymour

Plot Summary

Charley is a hustler. He's been on his own long enough to know how to work people and situations. He finds that the father who threw him out as a teen ager has died. He's left him a now antique convertible and something more important, a previously unknown brother, Raymond. Raymond is Autistic, but is able to calculate complicated mathematical problems in his head with great speed and accuracy. Their father has left his fortune to Raymond who doesn't even understand what money is for. Charley is enraged by what has happened and by his father keeping Raymond's existence from him for his entire life. He kidnaps Raymond from his residential home but then finds that Raymond will only fly Quantas. The two begin a long road trip that will lead them to an understanding of each other.

Comments

• Astonishing performance by Dustin Hoffman... not only is his character touching because of his innocence, but he is also quite funny and gives the film a light-hearted tone
• Excellent chemistry between Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise
• Provides clearer look into the world of autism

Oscars (1989)

- Dustin Hoffman

- Barry Levinson

- Ronald Bass, Barry Morrow

Berlin International Film Festival (1989)

Golden Berlin Award

Reader Jury of the "Berliner Morgenpost"

Directors Guild of America (1989)

DGA Award

- Barry Levinson

Golden Globes (1989)

Best Motion Picture - Drama

Dustin Hoffman

Recommended Link

  http://home.earthlink.net/~rainman88/babbit/