Tootsie

Year: 1982

Grade: B

Country: USA

Director: Pollack

Review

not the first, but maybe the best drag comedy. some like it hot is overrated, mrs. doubtfire is pretty good, but tootsie is probably a bit better. actually, afi has some like it hot as the best comedy of all-time and tootsie comes in second. it’s worthless list overall since it neglects films like big lebowski, planes, trains and automobiles, ferris bueller, uncle buck, rushmore, etc. at any rate, tootsie is a good, layered film with some honest laughs, but far more laughs that didn’t develop. there were moments where i knew something was funny and was attempting to generate a laugh, but it just didn’t do it for me. if this film was completely unknown it would be noteworthy, but since it’s widely touted it’s not really worth talking about too much. hoffman, of course, is great, but i felt too much of the film rested on him. some of the script was weak, the direction was serviceable and there should have been some more aggressive editing. all that said, it was an enjoyable picture.