Tootsie (1982)

Synopsis of Tootsie

Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman), a brilliant but troublesome New York actor, has managed to alienate every producer on both coasts. Michael's agent George Fields (Sydney Pollack) can't even get his client a commercial since Michael complained that the tomato he was playing wasn't properly motivated. "You were a tomato!" screams George in desperation, adding that Michael is so obnoxious that he will probably never work again. Dorsey thinks otherwise; when he hears of an opening on a popular soap opera, he applies for the job--even though the job is for a woman. Posing as "Miss Dorothy Michaels," Michael wins the part and becomes a widely-known actress. Yet complications ensue when Michael falls for his co-star Julie (Jessica Lange, in an Oscar-winning performance) but, as Dorothy, is courted by Julie's widowed father (Charles Durning). Michael ultimately finds that his disguise as a woman has made him a better man. One of the classic comedies of the 1980s, Tootsie's gender-bending premise boasts a screenplay by Larry Gelbart and Murray Schisgal, and by a host of memorable supporting comic performances from Dabney Coleman, Teri Garr, George Gaynes, and Bill Murray. Future Oscar-winner Geena Davis makes her screen debut as a daytime drama queen, which indeed she had been before Tootsie came along. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

See All Tootsie Trailers and Clips

Theatrical Feature Running Time:

116 mins

Director(s):

Sydney Pollack

Writer(s):

Larry Gelbart, Murray Schisgal, Don McGuire

Producer(s):

Ronald L. Schwary, Sydney Pollack, Dick Richards

Theatrical MPAA Rating:

PG(Adult Situations, Adult Language, Adult Humor, Questionable for Children)

Categories:

Comedy

• 1998 - American Film Institute - 100 Greatest American Movies
• 1983 - British Academy of Film and Television Arts - Best Actor
• 1982 - Golden Globe - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1982 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1982 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Picture - Musical or Comedy
• 1982 - Hollywood Foreign Press Association - Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
• 1998 - Library of Congress - U.S. National Film Registry
• 1982 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 1982 - Los Angeles Film Critics Association - Best Screenplay
• 1982 - National Society of Film Critics - Best Picture
• 1982 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay
• 1982 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Supporting Actress
• 1982 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Screenplay
• 1982 - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director

Looking for special editions of Tootsie?

See All Versions

Subtitles:

Check All Versions

Closed Captioning:

Check All Versions