1988

Cast- Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino

Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Hoffman), Best Original Screenplay, Best Director

Charlie Babbitt is a selfish car dealer who needs money fast.  When his estranged father dies he heads back to Ohio for the reading of the will.  Only Charlie wasn’t left with any money.  When he discovers the wealth was left to someone else he tracks them down.  What he finds is an autistic brother he never knew about.  Still miffed about the money he kidnaps him and the two begin a cross-country journey that won’t leave either one of them the same.

Why I love it- The two powerhouse performances stand out in this beautiful story of redemption.  Hoffman may have won the Oscar for his superb acting, but Cruise was also impressive.  These two made an already sharp script shine.  Hoffman is heartbreaking and heartwarming as Raymond and Cruise’s Charlie has such a transformation that it leaves you rooting for him when you hated him two hours before.  I liked watching Charlie come to understand Raymond and with that came the love of a brother he never knew he needed. 

This was autism before everyone knew what autism was.  It is a look at the love and value an autistic person has, when often those things are overlooked.  You can’t help but fall in love with Raymond.  There is such a beauty and humor in this film that it makes it hard to forget.  I loved when Raymond made his first joke.  What could have been a depressing movie came to life with a sharp wit and great writing. 

My Favorite 100 Movie List

2009

Cast- Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, Betty White, Mary Steenburgen, Craig T. Nelson

Margaret Tate is a powerful book editor in New York City and Andrew Paxton is her beaten down executive assistant of three years.  When Margaret is told she’ll be deported back to Canada because she didn’t take care of her visa she forces Andrew to marry her so she can stay in the country and keep her job.  They head to Sitka, Alaska to tell his family and the threat of the immigration officer follows them.

Why I love it – This is not the best romantic comedy ever made, but there are so many things I love about it.  I loved the interaction and chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds.  The love/hate back and forth was fun and I could watch those two all day.  They are a great pair and I’d like to see them together again.  I also loved Betty White.  As Gammy she stole the scenes she was in and this was the beginning of her resurgence back into the spotlight, where she rightfully belongs.  The rest of the cast was great and I’ll give a shout out to Ramone, Sitka’s caterer, exotic dancer, and general store clerk.  Every town should have one 🙂

The movie is more funny than romantic and it works.  And we got to see both leads naked, not something every movie has the guts to do.  Thank you, Ryan!  It was supposed to take place in Alaska, but it was mainly filmed in Massachusetts and it was beautiful.  Makes me want to vacation there.  There is nothing new in the plot, but it’s the acting, humor, and the leads that make this a guilty pleasure for me.