TOOTSIE

I guess younger people might find this film a bit icky - a Hollywood comedy featuring a Hollywood star actor (Dustin Hoffman) in drag, as a struggling actor (Michael) who has to pretend to be a woman (Dorothy) to get a part in a TV soap.

But I can enjoy it, especially the comedy aimed at the acting profession or at daytime TV.  It also takes aim at casual misogyny, which for 1982 makes it somewhat ahead of its time.

The film doesn't explore gender roles as deeply as it could have.  It would have been interesting for example to have made Hoffman's character more of a womaniser, who then comes to discover what it is like to be on the receiving end. 

I also feel that the film doesn't know how to resolve the relationships it sets up between Dorothy and fellow actor Julie (Jessica Lange), and between Dorothy and Julie's father Les. 

Both Julie and Les seem to cope with Michael's deceit far too easily, and in particular I didn't find the ending of the film, when it is implied that Michael and Julie might develop a romantic relationship - at all convincing.

Bill Murray has a supporting role of no great consequence.  He does get to deliver some funny lines, but it is interesting that in 1982 Murray hadn't quite developed the deadpan comic persona he would deploy to such great effect two years later in 'Ghostbusters'.

The film is well directed by Sydney Pollack, who also plays Michael's agent - all of their scenes together are very funny. 

Less funny to me are the scenes between Michael and his friend Sandy, played by Teri Garr, notwithstanding that she received an Oscar nomination for her performance.  

It's not just that her character is a variation on the dumb blonde stereotype.  In the first half of the film Michael is understandably concerned as to her reaction were she to learn that he got the part she was rejected for, but by the end the film has so lost interest in her that we don't get to see her again. 

Overall though, this is a pleasant diversion if you're in the right mood.

RATING: ✓ If You've Nothing Better To Do