There’s a common line about classic films that “couldn’t be made today”. This is a natural result of changing society: as we learn more as a people, we become more attuned to injustice and potential harm. Then, some films easily stand the test of time, becoming consolidated as eternal classics just as enjoyable today as when they first lit the silver screen. Rain Man adopts some key themes that help it lean towards the latter, as a story about the acceptance of family even when they’re not what you expected.
The Original Film
Released in 1988, Rain Man, starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, was an unexpected hit. The film would go on to gross $355 million ($925 million adjusted) from a budget of just $25 million ($65 million adjusted). Gross like this today is usually confined to blockbusters like comic-book action movies, making the performance of comedy-drama still exceptional.
The film follows the story of an indebted collectables dealer, Charlie, connecting with his forgotten and institutionalised brother Raymond following the death of their father. This relationship begins on a complicated footing, as Charlie’s goal to claim more inheritance is hampered by confusion and frustration over his brother’s autism and savant syndrome.
Throughout the film, Charlie learns to better connect with Raymond, finding fascination with his skills at counting, gambling, and eccentricities. Eventually, given the chance of $250,000 to walk away from Raymond, Charlie turns down the vast sum so he can continue to play a part in his brother’s life.
Taken into a Modern Context
Rain Man wasn’t successful just thanks to the acting chops of the two stars; it also serves as an important time capsule and point of comparison. On the lighter side of things are the gambling scenes, which are slightly outdated by today’s standards. In the film, the pair bet in a physical casino, whereas today players often turn to a virtual casino experience online. Modern titles like Live Roulette and Speed Blackjack offer the same types of gameplay as a physical casino with improved convenience on desktops and mobiles. Of course, it’s also much more difficult to film, so perhaps a remake would keep physical casinos in the mix.
The more timeless aspect of Rain Man comes from the message it has to tell about family. The challenges of connecting two brothers on opposite sides of the communication spectrum illustrate a divide that many of us have associated with in the past. It’s also a challenge that remains in the contemporary age, regardless of how far we come technologically. Rain Man covers the importance of introspection, of having the strength to question when you might have been wrong and how that might manifest in the context of a family unit. It’s a story of connecting disconnected people, and in this way, it’s as fresh today as when it hit theatres.
Rain Man is one of those films you still see referenced today, working its way into the zeitgeist as a permanent fixture in any enthusiast’s library. It’s also an important time capsule into the eternal importance of learning to grow and change your preconceived notions. In other words, it does still hold up, and it’s worth checking out or rewatching if it’s available on your streaming service or if you have an old VHS or DVD lying around.
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