Tootsie 1982
There are not many comedies on AFI's 1997 list of the 100 best movies of all time, but Tootsie shows up at number 62, right between Vertigo and Stagecoach. That is almost hard to believe, but crafting a great comedy isn't easy. Watching Tootsie again after many years since I last saw it on TV, I realize they probably got it right. It is a similar concept to another cross-dressing comedy, Some Like It Hot (number 14!), but the execution is absolutely first rate. Dustin Hoffman is amazing in the title role, of course, but the supporting cast is absolutely stacked: Jessica Lange, Dabney Coleman, Bill Murray, Teri Garr, Charles Durning, and director Sydney Pollack as Hoffman's agent. All of these people knock it out of the park. There are a lot of situational laughs, but also some good messages about empowering women, and a sweet romantic center. The screenplay was co-written by Larry Gelbart, nominated for an Oscar along with director Pollack and stars Hoffman, Garr, and Lange (Lange the only winner). Not exactly a sleeper: everyone knew it was a special movie. The movie takes a little bit of time to set up Hoffman's character as a sincere actor who has a hard time getting work, but once he decides to become Tootsie, it is pretty much off to the races. There are so many great little one liners in the movie that I forgot about, but it was also fun seeing all the big unforgettable scenes again as well.
Written: 10 Nov 2024
Owned on: Digital