Rain Man has been the source of a bit of caricature in the 25 years since its release, but the truth is it still plays quite well despite its age, and paints a pretty bang-on sample portrait of a man with autism. I must admit, having worked in the past in programs to assist those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, I have some familiarity with the characteristics that Dustin Hoffman portrays in his Raymond characterization, many of which are very common in the kids I worked with, including strict adherence to scheduling, a general disinterest in ordinary communication and social skills, and in some instances, incredible skill with numbers and memory. In short, he’s totally believable as a representation of a real person on the autism spectrum.
The movie itself finds its heart in the relationship between Raymond and his estranged brother Charlie, played by Tom Cruise, who only learns about Raymond upon the death of their father. They start to spend time together because Charlie thinks he can get Raymond’s inheritance, and for a period of time treats him rather horribly, not understanding Raymond’s disorder or how to communicate with him. But over time, he starts to figure him out a little bit. And it’s that connection, including the shared history of which Charlie vaguely remembers, that creates an instant bond that appears to endure beyond the conclusion of the film. There’s something about the way these brothers find a way to communicate even though their languages, so to speak, are remarkably different that captures something about the family link that transcends regular vocabulary.
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