Movie Review: Tootsie Will Never Grow Old
Read more articles on Movies, visual media.July 29, 2008
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
July 29, 2008
Posted by Karen Amato Schwartz
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Probably one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time, I don’t think Tootsie will ever grow old, stale, or irrelevant. True, the concept of a man donning woman’s clothes-for any number of reasons-has been done ad nauseum by the entertainment industry, but there’s a reason Tootsie received nine Academy Award nominations and one win: it makes the concept plausible instead of ribald.
Let me also add that I am a huge Dustin Hoffman fan; I think he does come in at number one of my all time favorite actors. Now, whether his Tootsie performance helped place him there, or if it was his skill that made me fall in love with this film, I don’t know. But this is one of the very few movies I could say that I “could watch anytime.”
Personally, I am enamored of all stores set in New York, especially those having to do with the world of acting or dance. As a young college student, I’d even go on dance trips there to take a variety of classes. So, I had an understanding of the level of expertise found in the industry; when highly regarded professionals in all performing venues descend in multitudes upon one city, the word “competition” doesn’t even come close. I could relate to Mr. Hoffman’s character of Michael Dorsey, a 40-something actor who wasn’t getting hired due to his reputation of being difficult. (As an acting teacher, he tended to argue with directors about interpretation.) I also felt for his friend, Sandy (Terri Garr) who was so frustrated that she hadn’t made it by age 33 that she was considering going back to her home town.
Of course, fate intervened. When Sandy couldn’t get “angry” enough on her own for a soap opera audition, Michael accompanied her. She was immediately rejected for being “too soft”, and Michael saw it as an opportunity for himself, as he had been rehearsing the lines with her. He assumed that if no one recognized him, he may have a chance-as long as he could represent a strong, yet vulnerable woman. His expertise got him the job, and that was when things became sticky.
His agent (Sidney Pollack, who also directed this movie) was aghast; his roommate (Bill Murray) was incredulous, and Sandy was in the dark. On the set of the soap opera, Michael meets Julie (Jessica Lange), a single mom and girlfriend of the soap’s director (Dabney Coleman). A friendship ensues, and Julie’s dad starts falling for Michael, along with an older male cast member. Oh-and did I mention that by this time, due to the way Michael gazes at Julie, she thinks he’s gay?
However, his interpretation of his character mesmerizes the entire country. Michael is now invited to talk shows and is on the covers of major magazines. He has finally gotten what he’s desired his whole life-it’s just bad that no one knows it’s him.
The plot just continues to thicken when Julie’s dad proposes marriage to Michael; the way he gets out of it is genius, but, as expected, he loses Julie in the process. Within a few months, he, Sandy and his roommate are again pursuing self-written flops way, way off Broadway. But it does have a happy ending; Julie finally starts talking to him once again.
The movie is touching and humorous, but most of all, thought provoking in how it delineates gender roles. Michael used to be a womanizer, but after seeing how women are treated, his position has changed. Yet, it’s Michael’s interpretation of a “strong” character on the soap, (arguing with the director, as always) that gets him notoriety. All over the country, women were glad to see his character stand up to the men in the show. His character proved that a woman does not need to lose her femininity or attractiveness to be strong, which was even more startling when his masculinity became known.
Ms. Lange and Ms. Garr both received Best Supporting Actress nominations for their efforts, and Ms. Lange had the honor of winning it that year, 1982. The song theme, “It Might Be You” was a top 40’s hit.
Tootsie is a long way removed from just another drag queen; she has the ability to make us all stop and rethink our gender stereotypes.
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