Tootsie (1982)

My Review

Dustin Hoffman plays a talented but difficult New York actor who cannot find work and resorts to disguising himself as a woman in “Tootsie.” Director Sydney Pollack (“They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?” 1969) created an engrossing and entertaining motion picture reminiscent of the old Hollywood screwball comedies. The smart and witty screenplay was penned by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal, from a story by Gelbart and Don McGuire. This filmed works on all levels, with exceptional production values, good writing, interesting character development, and memorable performances.

The talented cast behind Dustin Hoffman includes Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, Dabney Coleman, Charles Durning, Bill Murray, Geena Davis, Christine Ebersole, Lynn Thigpen, George Gaynes, Ellen Foley, Pamela Lincoln, and Doris Belack as the producer. (This was Lincoln’s final film role.) The watchable “Tootsie” was the second highest grossing film of 1982 for producer Sydney Pollack, Mirage Enterprises, and Columbia Pictures.

It was nominated for ten Academy Awards, winning one for Best Supporting Actress (Lange). Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Hoffman), Best Supporting Actress (Garr), Best Cinematography (Owen Roizman), Best Song (“It Might Be You,” music by Dave Grusin, lyrics by Alan & Marilyn Bergman), Best Screenplay, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound. “Tootsie” was filmed primarily in New York City, with a few scenes shot in Tarzana, California.