Tootsie

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1:18

Tootsie

PG

1982

1h 51m

Comedy

LGBTQ+

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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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Critics Consensus

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Dec 28

4/4

Almost everything about this topflight comedy still works beautifully.

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Quentin Crisp

Christopher Street

05/07/2024

Highly enjoyable in spite of certain weakness.

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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.

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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.

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Nicolas G

@Samuel_Goldmann Mar 1

Honestly, some parts of this movie didn’t age well, but it is still funny to watch. The acting and the dialogue are good enough. Some of the side actors feel off somehow.

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Linda G

@Goldy78 Dec 21

Rewatched it today and enjoyed it more than the first time. Hoffman is great and all supporting actors are excellent. Loved it.

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Gareth v

@geewah Jul 24

A reasonable comedy that hasn't really stood the test of time. What it does do well is balance slapstick with sincerity.

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Caleb C

@RT67212967 May 13

Tootsie is a comedy that hits all the right notes—smart, funny, and unexpectedly heartfelt. Dustin Hoffman plays Michael Dorsey, a gifted but difficult actor who reinvents himself as “Dorothy” to land a role. What starts as a desperate move turns into a journey of self-awareness, empathy, and a whole lot of awkward hilarity. Think Mrs. Doubtfire if Robin Williams forgot he was acting and actually grew as a person. The humor is character-driven, not cheap or repetitive. Hoffman is magnetic, and his scenes with Sydney Pollack (as his fed-up agent) crackle with tension and wit. Bill Murray, playing it low-key, delivers some of the funniest lines without ever raising his voice. The film stumbles a bit with too many romantic angles—Sandy’s character is underwritten, though Teri Garr brings her to life with charm and comic timing. Jessica Lange’s Oscar-winning role feels a bit subdued compared to the rest of the cast. Still, Tootsie shines thanks to its balance of comedy, conflict, and character. It gives you someone to root for, people to laugh with, and just enough chaos to keep you guessing. **Verdict: Clever, heartfelt, and still walking tall after all these years.**

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alan g

@agenser 03/16/2025

Was very popular at the time but it luster has long since worn off. Just kitsch now.

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Sydney Pollack

Director

Dustin Hoffman

Michael Dorsey

Jessica Lange

Julie Nichols

Teri Garr

Sandy Lester

Dabney Coleman

Ron Carlisle

Charles Durning

Les Nichols

Tootsie: Official Clip - Hilarious Tomato Rant

2:41

Tootsie: Official Clip - Dorothy Tries to Kiss Julie

2:20

Tootsie: Official Clip - Teri Garr Freaks Out

3:33

Tootsie: Official Clip - You Macho S***head!

1:07

Tootsie: Official Clip - My Name Is Dorothy, Not Tootsie!

1:13

Tootsie: Official Clip - Being a Woman in the 80s

1:24

Tootsie: Official Clip - Dustin Hoffman Screen Tests as a Woman

1:29

Tootsie: Official Clip - Dustin Hoffman is Dorothy Michaels

3:32

Tootsie: Official Clip - I Was Supposed to Kiss Her!

2:04

Tootsie: Official Clip - Dustin Hoffman Messes With Sydney Pollack

2:07

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Tootsie: Trailer 1

1:18

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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)

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