Tom Cruise would possibly by no means have landed his position in Rain Man, however his sister ended up serving to enhance his profession. Cruise was nonetheless a rising star by the point he began engaged on Rain Man, and the Finest Image winner cemented his credentials as an actor value paying shut consideration to. Dustin Hoffman stars as an autistic savant with distinctive reminiscence and mental expertise, however hassle with social conditions. Cruise performs his career-driven brother, who conspires to make use of his familial connection to get entry to his father’s inheritance. The comedy-drama was met with constructive critiques, and it scored 4 Oscars from eight nominations.
In a long-ranging discuss his profession at London’s BFI, Cruise detailed the unusual circumstances that led to him taking part in Charlie Babbitt in Rain Man. (by way of Variety) Cruise was in a New York Metropolis restaurant along with his sister in 1984 after they noticed Dustin Hoffman from throughout the room.
“She goes, ‘There’s Dustin Hoffman.’ I appeared up and there he was, in a hat — he was doing ‘Demise of a Salesman’ — and he was ordering takeout. She goes, ‘You go over there and say whats up to him.’ I used to be like, ‘I’m not going to say whats up.’ She goes, ‘You realize him, you already know his films.’ And she or he doesn’t do stuff like that. And I don’t stroll as much as folks, however she was so pushy.”
Cruise says that he was solely pressured into approaching Hoffman when his sister gave him an ultimatum: that he might introduce himself or she might do it for him. Making an attempt to keep away from embarrassment, Cruise walked over to Hoffman, who acknowledged him instantly. The Midnight Cowboy actor invited Cruise and his sister to see him in Demise of a Salesman, and to go to him backstage. That is the place Cruise and Hoffman determined to work collectively.
“As I used to be leaving he mentioned, ‘I wish to make a film with you.’ And I mentioned, ‘That may be good, sir. And that’s what occurred, and principally a 12 months later he despatched ‘Rain Man.’”
What This Means For Cruise, Hoffman & Rain Man
Rain Man Has An Vital Legacy, And Cruise Is Key To This
Earlier than he grew to become identified for his daredevil stunts as an motion hero, Rain Man produced one among Tom Cruise’s best dramatic performances. It is simple to see how his profession might have panned out otherwise if not for this opportunity assembly in a New York Metropolis restaurant. Even when Cruise had been eating with somebody apart from his sister, he would possibly by no means have met Dustin Hoffman and obtained the ball rolling on the undertaking which might finally turn into Rain Man. Hoffman had been making an attempt to get Rain Man made for years, however Cruise was a significant part of the completed film.
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With a profession spanning greater than 40 years, Tom Cruise is one among Hollywood’s largest stars. From comedies to motion films, the actor has finished all of it.
Rain Man stays one among Dustin Hoffman’s best movies, and one of many performances which has outlined his illustrious profession. It would not be the identical with out Cruise’s finely-balanced portrayal of an under-handed, self-centered character who nonetheless learns to take care of his estranged brother. Rain Man was heralded as an essential second for the illustration of individuals with studying difficulties in the US and the world over. Cruise’s character typically represents the ignorant, short-tempered perspective that many individuals held on the time, as Charlie struggles to grasp Raymond.
Our Take On Cruise’s Casting In Rain Man
Cruise’s Sister Ought to Be Thanked
The worth of Rain Man‘s illustration has been debated through the years, and there is an argument to be made that it contributes to dangerous stereotypes. Nevertheless, it definitely made an affect when it was first launched, and it helped enhance consciousness of autism in most of the people. Whereas Hoffman’s efficiency is the one which so typically will get probably the most credit score – and rightly so – Cruise additionally deserves recognition for his half. He performs the character of Charlie Babbitt with simply sufficient stability to make him seem relatable and shamefully oblivious without delay. Whereas the main points of his casting got here right down to pure luck, and a nudge from his sister, Cruise was completely the correct actor for Rain Man.
Supply: Variety
