In Rain Man, Dustin Hoffman delivers an extraordinary performance as Raymond Babbitt. Babbitt is savant, a rare kind of autism, and the movie is a warm and sympathetic exploration of what that means for both Babbitt and for his younger brother, played by Tom Cruise. At first Cruise seeks to exploit his brother, but as they travel together he begins to discover some truths about himself and his sibling.
It’s not perfect by any means – there have been legitimate criticisms of errors it contains and what many people consider to be its sometimes simplistic portrayal of autism – but it’s well-intentioned, well written and beautifully acted – and it’s streaming on Prime Video now.
A masterclass in acting from a legend and a legend-to-be
