Rain Man: A Road Trip of the Heart (and Some Serious Poker Skills)

Okay, so I finally re-watched "Rain Man" the other night. I hadn't seen it since Blockbuster was still a thing, and man, Dustin Hoffman just nails it as Raymond. I mean, autistic representation has come a long way since '88, obviously, but you can't deny Hoffman's performance. He really committed. I remember back then everyone was trying to do the whole 'uh oh, gotta watch the WAPNER' thing. Tom Cruise is...well, Tom Cruise. Young, cocksure, a little smarmy. But his character arc is pretty impressive. He starts out as this totally self-absorbed car dealer who just wants his inheritance, right? But by the end, you actually believe he cares about Raymond. The scene where they're gambling in Vegas is classic, and it's funny seeing Cruise (pre-Scientology days) looking like he actually had a soul. It reminded me a bit of "Of Mice and Men" in its own, less bleak way, but with a '80s soundtrack and way more money involved. Plus, Cruise's character even resembles George Milton a little if you squint. I gotta admit, there are parts that feel a little dated now. Some of the language and generalizations around autism haven't aged super well. But the core of the story – that human connection, finding family where you least expect it – still resonates. And the score? Oh man, Zimmer at his best. Definitely worth a revisit if you're feeling nostalgic for the '80s (and some genuinely good acting). One thing that always bothered me though, was the ending! I get that Raymond's special needs required specialized care, but it's still sad that they couldn't figure out a way for the brothers to stay together, even for visits. What do you guys think?