A sparkling turn by Hoffman and an absolutely fabulous cast make this a risk -- and a risque -- success.
Tootsie (1982)
Runtime: 1 hr 56 mins
Synopsis: When theatrical mastermind Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) finds himself blacklisted by just about every producer in the acting business, he decides to thwart the entertainment industry by disguising himself as an older woman and auditioning for a daytime soap opera. Dorsey arrives for... When theatrical mastermind Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) finds himself blacklisted by just about every producer in the acting business, he decides to thwart the entertainment industry by disguising himself as an older woman and auditioning for a daytime soap opera. Dorsey arrives for the audition in a dress and makeup. Calling himself Dorothy Michaels, he/she gives an astonishing screen test and is hired on the spot by the show's executive (Dabney Coleman). Dorsey is an overnight sensation with the show's fans, but as his secret career escalates, his relationship with his girlfriend (Teri Garr) suffers. Soon Dorsey finds a new romantic interest at work with his co-star, Julie. The only problem is, Julie thinks Dorsey is a woman and it's not long before she's trying to fix up Dorothy with her single father. In the tradition of Mel Brooks's THE PRODUCERS, Sydney Pollack's TOOTSIE is a rich, funny, complex film. In featuring Hoffman as the smock-wearing protagonist, its boldness exposes movie-goers to the hilarious challenges faced by a modern cross-dresser. At the same time, the film promoted tolerance for transgendered people. Hoffman is unforgettable as the actor so desperate for work that he'll dress as a woman to get it, and supporting players Geena Davis and Bill Murray create plenty of comedy relief to help the plot along. [More]
Genre: Comedies
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Charles Durning, Bill Murray, Teri Garr
DVD Info
Release:
May 2, 2008
DVD Features:
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.40
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.0 - English, French
- Subtitles - English, French - Optional
- Subtitles - English - Closed Captioned
Additional Release Materials:
- Behind the Scenes
- Deleted Scenes
- Screen Tests - Dustin Hoffman
Reviews
Pollack's easy-going, gender-bending comedy seems to have grown in stature and reputation with age, and it is not difficult to see why.
The tone is quick-witted and appealing, with some of the smartest dialogue this side of Billy Wilder...
The film is mostly remembered for Dustin Hoffman's outstanding portrayal of Dorothy, the bespectacled, conservative woman who stands for neither discrimination nor nonsense
...an amiable and frequently hilarious comedy that boasts one of the most effective performances of Hoffman's career.
Rather than confront what it sets up, it takes the one joke and runs -- till it runs out of steam.
...there are several solid laughs and some excellent supporting performances.
One of the best and most significant comedies of the 1980s: Unlike Curtis and Lemmon in Some Like It Hot, when Dustin Hoffman is in drag, it does change his attitude toward sex, women, and courtship. Pollack is here at his best as a commercial director.
One of the funniest things I have ever seen was Dustin Hoffman weeping uncontrollably as he recounted how he never truly understood the inner pain and torment of what it felt like to be an ugly woman until he made Tootsie.
It turns out to be a touching love story, after all -- so touching that you may be surprised how moved you are at the conclusion of this comedy.
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News
posted by Joanna Cohen May 26, 2008
Academy Award-winning director, producer and actor, Sydney Pollack, dies aged 73.
posted by Scott Weinberg June 22, 2007
Ten years ago the AFI gave us a list of the Top 100 American Films Ever Made -- and when that was done they churned out 15...
posted by Scott Weinberg January 19, 2006
Anyone remember the teenaged "Tootsie" with the gender-twist called "Just One of the Guys"?...


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