Jess Hershman
EEX 5051
Media Journal
Rain Man
Summary
Charlie Babbett thinks he’s just inherited some of his estranged father’s $3 million estate.
He is unpleasantly surprised to find out that all he’s been left with is an old Buick Roadmaster.
The entire estate has been left in a trust to an unnamed beneficiary. Charlie soon discovers that
he has a brother that he did not know about. Raymond, Charlie’s brother, is said to be an
autistic-savant by the doctors. Raymond can memorize anything and also perform math
problems in his head but his otherwise unable to function in society.
When Charlie finds out about Raymond, he is living at an institution in Cincinnati. After
failing to make a deal with Raymond’s financial guardian and doctor, Charlie takes him and
leaves heading to Las Angeles. They embark on their journey, running into many obstacles and
adventures along the way. At one point, Charlie teaches Raymond how to count cards and they
go to Vegas and win a little money but are figured out by security.
During their journey the once self-centered, selfish, money-driven Charlie, begins to
soften. As he cares for Raymond helps meet his sometimes outlandish needs (i.e. staying inside
when it rains), he begins there is more to life than money. He figures out that Raymond was still
at home when Charlie was young and that he used to mispronounce his name and call him ‘Rain
Man’ instead of Raymond. In the end Charlie is offered $250,000 to leave Raymond at the
institution and walk away. Charlie turns the money down in order for a chance to fight for the
right to stay with his brother.
Reaction and Feelings
I have always known about this movie, heard people talk about clips and heard it referenced to,
but I had never actually seen it. I loved it, despite my dislike of Tom Cruise. Dustin Hoffman is
fantastic. Raymond is said to autistic-savant but the “real” Rain Man, Kim Peek, is not autistic.
Raymond does possess some autistic-like characteristics, his resistance to change, and peculiar
habits, to name a couple. I’m not sure how I feel about Rain Man often being used as the “Ambassador to
autism.” While he does have some characteristics, he certainly isn’t meant to be a representation of
autism. Autism can present with many different symptoms and impacts families and children in
numerous ways. It is hard to have one single representation of autism, and it’s not a good idea to
misrepresent a disability.
I forgive this issue however, because this is an older movie! I enjoyed it for its entertainment
value and am happy for any attention that’s brought to autism.