Tootsie (1982)
-
88% of critics liked it
(40 reviews) -
75% of users liked it
(56,368 ratings)
Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman), a brilliant but troublesome New York actor, has managed to alienate every producer on both coasts. Michael's agent George Fields (Sydney Pollack) can't even get his client a commercial since Michael complained that the tomato he was playing wasn't… More Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman), a brilliant but troublesome New York actor, has managed to alienate every producer on both coasts. Michael's agent George Fields (Sydney Pollack) can't even get his client a commercial since Michael complained that the tomato he was playing wasn't properly motivated. "You were a tomato!" screams George in desperation, adding that Michael is so obnoxious that he will probably never work again. Dorsey thinks otherwise; when he hears of an opening on a popular soap opera, he applies for the job--even though the job is for a woman. Posing as "Miss Dorothy Michaels," Michael wins the part and becomes a widely-known actress. Yet complications ensue when Michael falls for his co-star Julie (Jessica Lange, in an Oscar-winning performance) but, as Dorothy, is courted by Julie's widowed father (Charles Durning). Michael ultimately finds that his disguise as a woman has made him a better man. One of the classic comedies of the 1980s, Tootsie's gender-bending premise boasts a screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal, and by a host of memorable supporting comic performances from Dabney Coleman, Teri Garr, George Gaynes, and Bill Murray. Future Oscar-winner Geena Davis makes her screen debut as a daytime drama queen, which indeed she had been before Tootsie came along. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Sydney Pollack
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Dec 1, 1982 Wide
- Studio
- Columbia Pictures
Critic Reviews
-
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
It is not just the best comedy of the year; it is popular art on the way to becoming cultural artifact.
-
Dave Kehr, Chicago Reader
...there are several solid laughs and some excellent supporting performances.
-
Geoff Andrew, Time Out
The tone is quick-witted and appealing, with some of the smartest dialogue this side of Billy Wilder...
-
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
It turns out to be a touching love story, after all -- so touching that you may be surprised how moved you are at the conclusion of this comedy.
-
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Tootsie restores the original meaning to the term 'situation comedy,' free of the pejorative associations that have accrued over the years because of the glut of awful ones on television.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Cast
-
Dustin Hoffman
as Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels
-
Jessica Lange
as Julie
-
Teri Garr
as Sandy
-
Dabney Coleman
as Ron
-
Charles Durning
as Les
-
Bill Murray
as Jeff
-
Sydney Pollack
as George Fields
-
George Gaynes
as John Van Horn
-
Geena Davis
as April
-
Doris Belack
as Rita
-
Ellen Foley
as Jacqui
-
Peter Gatto
as Rick
-
Lynne Thigpen
as Jo
-
Tony Craig
as Joel Spector
-
Lois De Banzie
as Autograph Hound
-
Christine Ebersole
as Linda
-
Susan Egbert
as Diane
-
Estelle Getty
as Middle-Aged Woman
-
Jim Jansen
as Stage Manager
-
Amy Lawrence
as Amy
-
Pamela Lincoln
as Secretary
-
Tom Mardirosian
as Stage Manager
-
Susan Merson
as Page
-
Debra Mooney
as Mrs. Mallory
-
Gavin Reed
as Director
- Michael M. Ryan
-
Kas Self
as Acting Student
-
Anne Shropshire
as Mrs. Crawley
- Lynn Stalmaster
-
Sam Stoneburner
as Actor
- Phillip Borsos
-
Annie Korzen
as Autograph Hound
- Bernie Pollack
-
Murray Schisgal
as Party Guest
-
Ronald L. Schwary
as Phil Weintraub
-
Richard Whiting
as Priest
-
James Carruthers
as Middle-Aged Man
-
Bob Levine
as Second Actor
- Robert Meadows
-
Bernie Passeltiner
as Mac
-
Willy Switkes
as Man at Cab
- Toni Howard
-
Marjorie Lovett
as Salesgirl
-
John Carpenter
as First Actor

