Rain Man
Movie, 1988, The '80s, Set in His first Oscar nomination
Rain Man is #1 of 25 in release order and #1 of 25 in chronological order in the Hans Zimmer.
The story
When car dealer Charlie Babbitt learns that his estranged father has died, he returns home to Cincinnati, where he discovers that he has a savant older brother named Raymond and that his father's $3 million fortune is being left to the mental institution in which Raymond lives. Motivated by his father's money, Charlie checks Raymond out of the facility in order to return with him to Los Angeles. The brothers' cross-country trip ends up changing both their lives.
Rain Man recap
Rain Man (1988) follows Charlie Babbitt, a hustling car dealer who discovers he has an autistic older brother who inherited their father's fortune. Barry Levinson directs. Charlie (Tom Cruise), deep in debt over a stalled shipment of Lamborghinis in Los Angeles, flies to Cincinnati for his estranged father's funeral and learns that the $3 million estate has gone to a trust. Its beneficiary is Raymond (Dustin Hoffman), a savant with extraordinary memory who lives at the Wallbrook institution. Charlie takes Raymond out to force a custody deal for half the money. Raymond refuses to fly, so the brothers drive across the country with Charlie's girlfriend Susanna (Valeria Golino), who later walks out. Raymond's fixed routines rule the journey. Charlie learns that the "Rain Man" he remembers from childhood was Raymond, sent away after an accident with a bath. In Las Vegas, Charlie uses Raymond's gift for counting cards to win at blackjack. Zimmer's "Leaving Wallbrook / On the Road" sets steel drums and synthesizers over the drive, giving the trip a light, rolling pulse.
Rain Man ending explained
Rain Man ends with Raymond going back to Wallbrook, and Charlie, who has dropped his claim to the money, promising to visit. At a hearing with a court psychiatrist, Raymond cannot say what he wants, and Charlie stops pushing for custody, saying he only wants to be his brother. He puts Raymond on the train with his doctor and says he will see him in two weeks. The film won four Oscars, including Best Picture, and earned Zimmer his first nomination.
Post-credits scenes
No. There is no post-credits scene.
Where to watch Rain Man
Rain Man is streaming on Prime Video, MGM Plus, and HBO Max in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 8.0/10, Rotten Tomatoes 88%
Where it fits
- Release order: first, before Thelma & Louise.
- Chronological order: first, before Thelma & Louise.
Cast
- Dustin Hoffman as Raymond Babbitt
- Tom Cruise as Charlie Babbitt
- Valeria Golino as Susanna
- Gerald R. Molen as Dr. Bruner
- Jack Murdock as John Mooney
- Michael D. Roberts as Vern
- Ralph Seymour as Lenny
- Lucinda Jenney as Iris
- Bonnie Hunt as Sally Dibbs
- Kim Robillard as Small Town Doctor
- Beth Grant as Mother at Farm House
- Dolan Dougherty as Farm House Kid
Directed by Barry Levinson.