Dustin Hoffman Marathon: Part 2

We have concluded our Dustin Hoffman marathon: awards have been handed out (the esteemed Hoffies), toasts have been made and the champagne bottles are empty.  Here are my thoughts on the back half of these six films.

Kramer vs. Kramer (Robert Benton, 1979):  Kramer vs. Kramer was the only film in this marathon I had seen.  I have fuzzy memories of seeing this when I was younger on television but I certainly couldn't remember it well enough to use my impeccable critic skills to analyze its merits.  After watching it again, I can definitely say that Kramer vs. Kramer is a good old fashioned melodrama in the best sense.  Dustin Hoffman is Ted Kramer, a hardworking dad to an adorable mop headed little boy, who is left by his wife, Joanna (Meryl Streep, in a solid supporting role).  Joanna gave up her own career to be a stay at home mom, something she feels she was forced into by Ted (and by society.  The 70's feminist message, while still relevant in some ways, seems hopelessly archaic in others).  The movie does read as a bit dated with talk of her having to leave her family to become an independent working woman, but the transformation of Hoffman from a caring but distant father to a capable parent is affecting and sweet.  The court battle at the end is handled fairly well.  The very last seen was a little too neat for me, but otherwise a solid film.

Isn't she lovely?

Tootsie (Sydney Pollack, 1982):  Tootsie is a ridiculous 1980's comedy.  Everyone knows the basic premise:  Dustin Hoffman in a dress!  As Michael, a difficult New York actor that can't get a job, Hoffman is serviceable.  But as Dorothy, the character Michael creates to get a role on a soap opera, he is magical.  Charming, open, funny and flirtatious, Dorothy is a great film heroine.  She stands up to the men who try to degrade her and, along the way, makes friends with her costar,  Julie (Jessica Lange), who she helps to  take charge of her own life.  Tootsie is cute and really isn't that funny (there are a couple choice moments) but I couldn't get enough of Dorothy.

Ishtar (Elaine May, 1987):  Yes, this is one of the most notorious flops of all times and yes it isn't that great of a movie, but I am glad I watched this for at least one reason.  The opening of the film is absolutely genius: it shows our two heroes (Hoffman and Warren Beatty), a pretty terrible songwriting team, working on their song "Dangerous Business" (see the video above.  I will warn you that you may have this song in your head for weeks like I have).  It is funny and really shows the creative process well and completely endears us to the lead characters right off the bat.  It tells us everything we need to know about them and their relationship.  In fact, the first hour or so of the movie is actually pretty great, showing their struggles to work together and trying to achieve their dream of success a la Simon and Garfunkel.  It is only when they go to Ishtar to perform at a nightclub and unwittingly become embroiled in a scheme to topple the corrupt government does this movie become worthy of its reputation.  I liked the chemistry between Hoffman and Beatty and I thought Beatty was really wonderful as a dumb lump of a man.  Anytime they were singing or working on songs, I was completely engaged; the rest of the time, I was bored silly.

This turned out to be a pretty fun marathon.  Our next marathon will cover the films of David Cronenberg.

Cheers,

Julie