Tootsie

This is the film that inspired the very funny, Robin Williams movie 'Mrs. Doubtfire'. Instead of Robin Williams it is Dustin Hoffman and he doesn't do as many voices as Williams but he does cross dress to get work because no one will employ him as an actor and a man because he argues with every director he has ever worked with.

Dustin Hoffman is a seriously underrated actor. For a while now he has been playing supporting roles instead of the lead but when he was younger he was the selling name and he hasn't lost any of his talent through age. Young Dustin Hoffman is the man that young people can look at and find attractive. There is a lot more to this film than the plot that 'The Graduate' had, which is the film that he is really known for.

This film is entirely about him. Not about the soundtrack or about Bill Murray (who is a fantastic character in this film), just about Dustin Hoffman. Bill Murray is probably playing the best character of his career in this film. He has had some great roles but single handedly permitting Michael Dorsey, aka Dorothy Michaels, to stash his female outfit and handle ignoring his girlfriend because he has fallen in love with this actress that he works with. Dorothy is the strong female character that every woman from that era wanted to be, needed to be and couldn't be at that time. It's hilarious and wonderful and everything that a true comedy is. You watch it and you see what he does, how he gets in to character and it is funny without it even really trying to be funny. That kind of commitment is refreshing to see.

Never underestimate a film made in the 80's.