Tootsie

Is Dustin Hoffman’s ‘Tootsie’ a Classic Movie at 30?

The Classic Connoisseur’s Guide to the Best Films and Stars

This article idea hatched when I saw a video of Dustin Hoffman getting emotional about the learning experience that “Tootsie” presented to him as a man. It is not a new video, but was released in 2012 from the archives of the American Film Institute, and shows a much younger Hoffman than we’ve seen on screens lately. If you haven’t seen it, take a look.

Of course, after that conversation with Dustin Hoffman, I had to go back and watch “Tootsie” again. It came as somewhat of a shock to learn that the movie was 30 years old last year.

So to answer the question in my title – yes, for the purposes of the Classics Connoisseur, “Tootsie” qualifies as a classic.

Tootsie Movie Poster
Tootsie Movie Poster

My main criteria is to bring you films and stars that may get overlooked in the rush to experience the latest celebrity. Having re-viewed “Tootsie,” I believe that it is a film that deserves continued attention.

Hoffman, Dabney Coleman, George Gaynes
Dustin Hoffman as Dorothy, Dabney Coleman as the soap opera director, and George Gaynes as the horny doctor in the soap opera | Tootsie, Columbia Pictures

One reason for that is its social/historical niche. Set square in the middle of the burgeoning Women’s Rights movement, the movie points out most graphically people’s unrecognized stereotypes of men and women. You’ll think that all of that has changed. You may recognize that the fundamentals are still the same.

Hoffman spent three years developing the script before he went to director Sidney Pollack and they spent more time, and a couple more writers fine-tuned the concept. As he says in that clip at the top, Hoffman wanted to explore how it is different to be a woman than a man, and to do that, they chose the story of an actor who wanted a job, any job, badly enough to pass himself off as a woman to get one.

Tootsie has a sterling line-up of stars. Besides Dustin Hoffman, Teri Garr lends her neurotic comic touch, Jessica Lange provides glamour, Dabney Coleman does sleaze as only Coleman can do, George Gaynes plays horny, and Charles Durning is lovable. We glimpse Geena Davis in her first big Hollywood film. Bill Murray improvs brilliantly. In fact, the improvisational nature of the film makes it unique and, in my opinion, a treasure.

Sydney Pollack and Dustin Hoffman
Sydney Pollack and Dustin Hoffman

The improvised scenes are there because of the sensitivity of a great director, Sydney Pollack, who also plays the part of a theatrical agent, and the confluence of comedic and acting talents of Hoffman, Murray and Garr among others. In the commentary that comes with the DVD, Pollack repeatedly says that he doesn’t really know comedy, so he depended on experienced comic actors.

Pollack also says repeatedly that they played each scene straight – the characters not knowing that what they were doing was funny – which makes the difference between what might have been a lot of cheap-shot  jokes or slapstick situations and a fine piece of art. Art that is so funny, you’ll drop your popcorn as you’re rolling in the aisles.

Dustin Hoffman as Dorothy in Tootsie
Dustin Hoffman as Dorothy in “Tootsie”

The American Film Institute named “Tootsie” the second funniest film of all time. (Okay, okay, you don’t have to look it up. The top of their list is “Some Like It Hot.”)

I think Pollack and Hoffman and the others have every right to be proud of “Tootsie.” It may be a hard sell to convince people there is any substance in a movie about a guy dressing as a woman to get a part in a soap opera and all the complications that involves.

Just tell doubters to listen to Pollack on the DVD commentary as he explains that the whole movie depended on finding the thread defined as “I was a better man because I was a woman.”

Comments

13 responses to “Is Dustin Hoffman’s ‘Tootsie’ a Classic Movie at 30?”

  1. Jane Louise Boursaw Avatar

    Vera Marie Badertscher – great installment of your Classic Connoisseur column. I agree that “Tootsie” is indeed a classic! I’m glad the Dustin Hoffman video surfaced, because it reminds us what a great movie it is – and how important it was for him to make it.

  2. Vera Marie Badertscher Avatar

    Thanks. Hoping more people will chime in.

  3. Alexandra Avatar

    I definitely think Tootsie is a classic. Plan to watch it again after reading this.

  4. Vera Marie Badertscher Avatar

    Thanks for your vote Alexandra. I also wonder if younger people have missed seeing it or take its message for granted.

  5. merr Avatar
    merr

    Absolutely a classic. Might have been a classic from the beginning.

  6. Donna Hull Avatar

    Tootsie is one of my favorites and is definitely a classic. I know what I’ll be watching this week.

  7. Sheryl Avatar

    You know what? You made me want to see this movie again – I always loved it!

  8. Vera Marie Badertscher Avatar

    Merr raises an interesting question. Can a film be a “classic” from the beginning, or does it take time and perspective to decide? Donna and Sheryl, Glad I’ve stirred up this rush to re-watch Tootsie!

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      I think you can *kind of tell when a brand new movie is going to be a classic. Kind of, though not always. Like I knew right away that “Finding Nemo” would be a classic. It’s just a fantastic movie for all ages. Same with “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” when I first saw them. If things click right off the bat, it seems like you can count on it being a classic later down the line. But, in my mind, a movie has to earn those years in order to be called a “classic.”

      I consider 1993’s “Tombstone” a classic, because it’s so well done, and hits the 20-year mark this year. When I interviewed Powers Boothe a few years back – he played Curly Bill – I asked him if the cast and crew knew they were making a classic at the time. He said:

      “Having grown up in Texas, to be in any western is a dream come true for me, particularly if it turns out to be a huge success and indeed a classic like “Tombstone.” The cast are all my heroes. I was amazed that we were able to assemble all that talent in one movie. I think that, because the script was so brilliant, anyone wouldn’t resist trying to be a part of it. It is absolutely one of my favorite experiences in my career.”

  9. Kris Bordessa ( Avatar

    Wow. 30 years. I guess it’s been that long since I’ve *seen Tootsie. I should totally introduce my kids to it. I think they’d get a kick out of it!

    1. Jane Boursaw Avatar

      Great idea, Kris. I don’t think my kids have seen Tootsie either (though Mrs. Doubtfire is a favorite).

  10. […] Is Dustin Hoffman’s ‘Tootsie’ a Classic Movie at 30? (reellifewithjane.com) […]

  11. […] Is Dustin Hoffman's 'Tootsie' a Classic Movie at 30? Reel Life With Jane This article idea hatched when I saw a video of Dustin Hoffman getting emotional about the learning experience that “Tootsie” presented to him as a man.  […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *