Tootsie (1982)

Dustin Hoffman has long been one of my favourite actors, and the more I have dipped into his back catalogue of performances the more impressed I've been. From his earnest reformation in Kramer vs. Kramer, to his youthful earnestness in The Graduate he has always been an absorbing presence, and in Tootise he again takes a role and a concept that could easily fall at the first hurdle and sells it completely. Here he plays Michael Dorsey, a talented but notoriously difficult (and principled) actor, who dresses up a as a woman to get an acting job, and who becomes an overnight sensation. Like I said it's a gimmicky premise, that in the wrong hands could have felt contrived, but through Murray Schisgal and Larry Gilbert's wonderfully astute script and Hoffman's performance it becomes a funny and absorbing tale.
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I really can't give enough credit to the screenplay here, it is a classic example of a bold premise fully fleshed out with a seemingly endlessly supply of witty one liners. It makes great use of the setup as well, so often films struggle to live up to their first act but here you get a clear sense of direction throughout. The film is helped by having a great cast, Hoffman as mentioned is revelatory, not only as the hapless Dorsey but as Dorothy Michaels as well, in her Hoffman creates a complete character and you completely buy the reality of this person in the world, and everyone's acceptance of her. He is ably supported by Bill Murray, who is as funny as he's ever been as Michael's struggling writer roommate. Jessica Lange is warm and appealing as Julie, the woman Dorothy befriends but who Michael habours a secret love for; another device lifted straight from a farce but that is woven naturally into the film's many layers.
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Sydney Pollack himself is a delight as Michael's long suffering agent and the snappy tone and feel he brings as director make it a constantly entertaining and amusing film. That being said the film also does a good job of fleshing out these characters and making them sympathetic, it is again to the writers and Hoffman's credit that we never turn on Michael for the choices he makes.
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Despite the film being nearly 30 years old the film still holds up remarkably well, the gender politics it is able to explore are a little dated but still relevant and the dialogue continues to sparkle. Fully of great performances and with a winning desire to entertain Tootsie is that rare beast, a feel good film that will leave you with a genuine smile long after the credits have rolled.