Episode 113 - Rain Man

Uh oh! Definitely did "Rain Man," definitely did "Rain Man." Tom
Cruise and Dustin Hoffman somehow star as brothers in this
manipulative road trip/buddy comedy that topped both the box
office and the Oscars in 1988. People love this movie, but it's
nothing more than a con-job that somehow got credit for treating
autism authentically, when it actually just uses it as a gimmick
to divert your eye from the fact that this is nothing more than
formulaic dreck.


This movie is not about an autistic guy (which it dismisses
brutally), but is really about a whiny, greedy brat with unearned
daddy issues who kidnaps his brother from a facility, is mean to
him to the point of insanity, eventually learns what autism is,
and then ultimately decides he doesn’t want his evil ransom money
after all. So, um, yay?


This was the first in a long line of magical autism movies, and
we get to see all kinds of awesome things, like fast math,
funerals, classic cars, phone book memorization, prize-winning
rosebushes, Abbott and Costello, card (and toothpick) counting,
prostitutes, mean rednecks, Wopner, crooked doctors, shady
Lamborghinis, bribery attempts, kidnapping, and of course:
constant awkward punchlines aimed at people with developmental
disorders. Oh, the ‘80s.


Join us as we discuss what Numbers 1 through 17 of Raymond's
"Serious Injuries" list might entail, as Keating has trouble
properly being racist, and as Jim criticizes Amber Alerts for
getting too familiar these days.


Tell us what you think by chatting with us (@filmsnuff)
on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or by
shooting us an email over at mailbag@filmsnuff.com.


This episode is sponsored by a PSA from the CDC about how to best
beat COVID-19.


Visit our website at https://www.filmsnuff.com.