To say that I was completely ignorant of Tootsie is an understatement. All I knew about Tootsie before I sat down to watch it recently was that it was the movie where Dustin Hoffman dressed up as a woman. Outside of that, I knew nothing at all about the movie, but I had always heard that it was a real classic. I have been on a bit of an 80s classics that I have never seen kick lately, trying to watch some of the movies that I have always heard were great, but for one reason or another, never got around to watching.
How to Download Tootsie
Tootsie was released on December 17, 1982. You can download or stream the film from a digital platform. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and make your choice. If you like Dustimn Hoffman, check him out also in other movies such as Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), Rain Man (1988), Hook (1991), Meet the Fockers (2004), or Megalopolis (2024). Ane he is also Master Shifu in Kung Fu Panda movies.
The Movie Review
Tootsie was released in 1982 and after I watched the movie, I did an internet deep dive (as I often do when I like a movie) and I never realized just how critically and commercially successful this movie was in its day. To be honest, it was very easy to see why, the movie walks the line between comedy and drama very well and Dustin Hoffman is a riot.
However, the biggest thing that shocked me about Tootsie was the cast. I had no idea that Jessica Lange who I love from American Horry Story was in this movie and even more mind-blowing was that Bill Murray was in the movie! I was also pretty shocked to see a young Geena Davis here as well. The cast is fantastic and they all deliver big time!
The Plot of Tootsie
The plot of the movie is about Dustin Hoffman’s Michael Dorsey. Michael is a talented actor, but he is so difficult to work with, that no studio, station, or play will hire him! He manages to scrape by between acting gigs thanks to an acting class that he teaches and it is here from one of his students and a friend… who becomes something more, Sandy, when he finds out about a role.
The role in question here is for a popular soap opera, but the problem is the role is for a female character called, Emily. Of course, dressing up as a woman and auditioning for the part is the clear move to make here! Michael says that his name is Dorothy Michaels and everyone believes him and his role as Emily becomes a nationwide hit and he becomes the main focal point of the show.
The Comedy and Heart of Tootsie
This of course causes Michael some major problems. First of all the romantic stuff he has going on with Sandy is complicated as he falls for his co-star, Jessica Lang’s Julie. It gets even messier and weirder than that as he becomes the object of a powerful man’s affection too!
I thought that Tootsie was an absolute ton of fun. While it does have some very funny moments, it is the kind of movie that also has a lot of heart. It is impossible not to smile when Dustin Hoffman is being Dorothy and the big soap opera twist that he does at the very end was awesome.
Where to Watch and Download Tootsie
I watched this via streaming (you can try Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video.), but I enjoyed it so much, I for sure will be adding this to my collection, especially as I found out there is a 4K release that is supposedly fantastic.
