When theatrical mastermind Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) finds himself blacklisted by just about every producer in the acting business, he decides to thwart the entertainment industry by disguising himself as an older woman and auditioning for a daytime soap opera. Dorsey arrives for the audition in a dress and makeup. Calling himself Dorothy Michaels, he/she gives an astonishing screen test and is hired on the spot by the show's executive (Dabney Coleman). Dorsey is an overnight sensation with the show's fans, but as his secret career escalates, his relationship with his girlfriend (Teri Garr) suffers. Soon Dorsey finds a new romantic interest at work with his co-star, Julie. The only problem is, Julie thinks Dorsey is a woman and it's not long before she's trying to fix up Dorothy with her single father.
In the tradition of Mel Brooks's THE PRODUCERS, Sydney Pollack's TOOTSIE is a rich, funny, complex film. In featuring Hoffman as the smock-wearing protagonist, its boldness exposes movie-goers to the hilarious challenges faced by a modern cross-dresser. At the same time, the film promoted tolerance for transgendered people. Hoffman is unforgettable as the actor so desperate for work that he'll dress as a woman to get it, and supporting players Geena Davis and Bill Murray create plenty of comedy relief to help the plot along.
Filmed on location in New York City.
TOOTSIE is number 2 on the American Film Institute's list of America's 100 Funniest Movies and number 62 on the list of America's 100 Greatest Movies.
TOOTSIE was added to the Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1998.
The film grossed more than $175 million at the box office.
Dustin Hoffman came up with the title TOOTSIE because it was his mother's nickname for him as a child.
Look for director Pollack as Dorothy's agent, George Fields.
TOOTSIE marked the film debut for actress Geena Davis.
Excerpt: "How do you feel about Cleveland?"--cameraman's response when asked how far back he can go to make Dorothy Michaels (Dustin Hoffman) look more attractive
"I was a better man with you as a woman than I ever was with a woman as a man."--Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) to Julie Nichols (Jessica Lange)
DVD Features:
Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.39
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.0 - English, French
Subtitles - English - Closed Captioned
Subtitles - English, French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Behind the Scenes
Deleted Scenes
Screen Tests - Dustin Hoffman
Distributor Notes: Michael Dorsey is a talented actor, but his demanding nature and stubborn temperament have antagonized every producer in New York. Now his agent insists no one will hire him. But Michael needs money - eight thousand dollars to be exact - and to earn it, he's willing to play the role of a lifetime. Dustin Hoffman stars with Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, Dabney Coleman, Charles Durning, Bill Murray andGeena Davis in director Sydney Pollack's heart-filled classic that heralded a new era of Hollywood wig-flipping and set a new standard for unpredictable laugh-out-loud comedy.
Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
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Review 1:
"...Remarkably funny and entirely convincing....[The] film instantly takes flight with charm and confidence and stays aloft thereafter..."
Source: Variety
12/08/1982
Review 2:
"Hoffman had more than proven his chop by then; but this drama-comedy, male-female dichotomy of a film was something else again."
Source: Premiere
p.65 04/01/2004
Review 3:
"TOOTSIE earned 10 Oscar nods and remains a masterful farce..." -- Grade: A-
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.54 02/15/2008
Review 4:
"...Better than ever and looking better than ever..."
Source: USA Today
p.3D 02/07/1992
Review 5:
3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]here's some Wilder-ish wit..."
Source: Uncut
p.127 04/01/2008
Review 6:
4 stars out of 5 -- "[The] gender-bender farce is still a gas, Hoff on virtuoso form as a turbulent actor flunking on Broadway....Something special."
Source: Empire
p.142 03/01/2008
Review 7:
4 stars out of 5 -- "[B]y playing its farcical situation for real, Dusty, Sydney et al were able to sprinkle the laughs with some serious musings on gender stereotyping and the differences between the sexes."
Source: Total Film
p.148 04/01/2008
Review 8:
"...TOOTSIE is an extremely funny movie..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.212-3 06/01/1983