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Tootsie

Play trailer 1:18 Poster for Tootsie PG 1982 1h 51m Comedy LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 54 Reviews 81% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
New York actor Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) is a talented perfectionist who is so hard on himself and others that his agent (Sydney Pollack) can no longer find work for him. After a soap opera audition goes poorly, Michael reinvents himself as actress Dorothy Michaels and wins the part. What was supposed to be a short-lived role turns into a long-term contract, but when Michael falls for his castmate Julie (Jessica Lange), complications develop that could wreck everything.
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Tootsie

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Critics Consensus

Tootsie doesn't squander its high-concept comedy premise with fine dialogue and sympathetic treatment of the characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Pauline Kael The New Yorker 09/12/2023
[Tootsie] has what the best screwball comedies had: a Can-you-top-this? quality. Go to Full Review
Bob Thomas Associated Press 11/12/2018
Both [Garr and Lange] are excellent, and Miss Lange continues her promise to become a superstar of the 1980s. Go to Full Review
Jason Bailey Flavorwire 05/30/2016
It's a movie with a lot on its mind - while never toppling over under the weight of its good intentions. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Dec 28
4/4
Almost everything about this topflight comedy still works beautifully. Go to Full Review
Quentin Crisp Christopher Street 05/07/2024
Highly enjoyable in spite of certain weakness. Go to Full Review
Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies 08/27/2022
4/5
There are brains behind the film which allow it to be funny and provocative in its observations on gender roles and women’s equality. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Vincent S @Vin_E_At_The_Movies 6d This is about as perfect as you can get for a smart, hilarious comedy. The acting is off the charts outstanding including a superb cameo from Bill Murray. Brilliant satire on television, a deep dive into acting and a comedy with a huge heart. Bravo! Miss you Teri Garr! Your performance is wonderful! See more K G @KatyG-S Jun 12 "Mrs Doubtfire" before "Mrs Doubtfire", but actually not... Both "Mrs Doubtfire" & "Tootsie" are both about men going in drag, yet their stories are different. The plot about a the man, Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman), who is done dirty by the industry, the way he can get back is becoming a woman (slightly alter ego) named Dorothy or such. I love how the plot is a promising one, never a ripoff. At first, I thought the comedic relief was the script that he had, because it contained some hilarious quotes, which Michael Dorsey shouted out at the start. I also just want to highlight some iconic moments about the argument he got into with the lady in his apartment when going through his drag phase & calling HIMself a LESBIAN (this will stick out). Then again, I will love this movie for giving the message of learning, honesty & showing the true self, which is all you want to be. See more Dylan Andrew L @RT27962142 May 27 I love watching older movies. No cell phones. No nonsense. Just good writing. Caring. Feeling. Also, love watching a movie you can watch 50 years later and it's still somewhat relevant. I think it plays out great, you can see how nasty the industry can be, the only thing is damn, dustin must've had a practice cause first day of auditions and she already looked almost perfect. So, I think that character wanted to be a woman way before the movie took place. See more William K @Koolbill May 9 We revisited this film this week and thought it was priceless. It holds up very very well. Great fun seeing Hoffman in his "youth". He is a very fine actor. Terri Garr is also very very good. Jessica Lang in this role probably needed a bit more "seasoning". See more Blake- N @PBSAniDom Apr 27 Tootsie is another standout classic from the 80s that still holds up as both entertaining and surprisingly sharp. It blends comedy and drama in a way that feels natural, with humor that comes from character and situation rather than cheap gags. The film’s strength lies in its writing and performances, especially the lead role, which carries a lot of emotional weight alongside the comedic moments. It manages to be funny while also touching on themes about identity, relationships, and personal growth without becoming heavy-handed. Even decades later, it remains engaging thanks to its smart pacing and timeless storytelling. It’s the kind of movie that shows why 80s cinema produced so many enduring comedies with heart. Overall, Tootsie is a clever, well-acted, and highly rewatchable film that earns an 8/10 as a true classic of its era. See more Bob R @BobRobb Mar 6 Hilarious. One of the best written comedies of all time. Every performance in this movie is incredible. Hollywood did great things before woke. See more Read all reviews
Tootsie

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Tootsie

Tootsie: Official Clip - Hilarious Tomato Rant Tootsie: Official Clip - Hilarious Tomato Rant 2:41 Tootsie: Official Clip - Dorothy Tries to Kiss Julie Tootsie: Official Clip - Dorothy Tries to Kiss Julie 2:20 Tootsie: Official Clip - Teri Garr Freaks Out Tootsie: Official Clip - Teri Garr Freaks Out 3:33 Tootsie: Official Clip - You Macho S***head! Tootsie: Official Clip - You Macho S***head! 1:07 Tootsie: Official Clip - My Name Is Dorothy, Not Tootsie! Tootsie: Official Clip - My Name Is Dorothy, Not Tootsie! 1:13 Tootsie: Official Clip - Being a Woman in the 80s Tootsie: Official Clip - Being a Woman in the 80s 1:24 Tootsie: Official Clip - Dustin Hoffman Screen Tests as a Woman Tootsie: Official Clip - Dustin Hoffman Screen Tests as a Woman 1:29 Tootsie: Official Clip - Dustin Hoffman is Dorothy Michaels Tootsie: Official Clip - Dustin Hoffman is Dorothy Michaels 3:32 Tootsie: Official Clip - I Was Supposed to Kiss Her! Tootsie: Official Clip - I Was Supposed to Kiss Her! 2:04 Tootsie: Official Clip - Dustin Hoffman Messes With Sydney Pollack Tootsie: Official Clip - Dustin Hoffman Messes With Sydney Pollack 2:07 View more videos
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Movie Info

Synopsis New York actor Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) is a talented perfectionist who is so hard on himself and others that his agent (Sydney Pollack) can no longer find work for him. After a soap opera audition goes poorly, Michael reinvents himself as actress Dorothy Michaels and wins the part. What was supposed to be a short-lived role turns into a long-term contract, but when Michael falls for his castmate Julie (Jessica Lange), complications develop that could wreck everything.
Director
Sydney Pollack
Producer
Sydney Pollack, Ronald L. Schwary
Screenwriter
Larry Gelbart, Barry Levinson, Elaine May, Murray Schisgal
Distributor
Columbia Tristar, RCA/Columbia, Columbia TriStar Home Video, Criterion Collection, Columbia Pictures
Production Co
Punch Productions, Columbia Pictures Corporation
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Dec 17, 1982, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 8, 2014
Runtime
1h 51m
Sound Mix
Mono, Stereo
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Scope (2.35:1)