He Became a Better Man, by Being a Woman: Tootsie (1982)

I've always seen shots of Tootsie and always thought to myself, "I bet that's a weird movie." But it seemed like something fun and lighthearted for me to watch, which is exactly what I needed today. As weird as it seems, Dustin Hoffman stars in this movie as an actor who can't get any work, so he dresses up as a woman. Think Mrs. Doubtfire, but set in the 80s, and without the kids. I was curious, and a little worried, how an 80s film would portray a cross-dresser, and how negative it might be towards gay and lesbian people. Hoping for the best, I pressed play. If you're curious on what I found, just click that little link below!


There's not much more to the story that what I've already mentioned. Dustin Hoffman plays Michael Dorsey, who has a reputation as an actor who argues all the time with his directors. It's gotten so bad that everybody knows his name, and no one will hire him. In an act of desperation, he disguises himself as a woman. Surprising everyone with how direct she is, Dorthy Michaels gets the new role on a popular daily soap opera. If that isn't enough, Dorthy starts gaining admires while Michael tries to keep his relationship going with his girlfriend, while also falling in love with one of his co-stars he works with as Dorthy. Now even I'm starting to get confused!

Dorthy Michaels gives a great audition and instantly gets the role

One of the most fun things about this movie, is that Michael Dorsey's duel life is just as insane and complicated, if not more so, than the most crazy soap opera I've ever seen. There are love-triangles everywhere in this movie! But they all seem to involve either Michael, or Dorthy, so at this point it's more like a love-pinwheel! Let's see if I can get some of these out. Michael is in a relationship with an old friend Sandy, but Sandy suspects he's cheating on her with the woman she saw go into his building, which of course was just Michael dressed as Dorthy. Michael meanwhile is really falling for his co-star Julie Nichols(Jessica Lange) who is friends with Dorthy, but Julie is seeing the director of the soap opera, Ron Carlisle (Dabney Coleman). Meanwhile Julie is semi trying to set Dorthy up with her father Les. Then there's also another co-star, an older man, who has also fallen for Dorthy. If you can figure out what shape that is, just let me know!

Michael is having a hard time keeping Sandy happy while keeping his double life a secret

One of the strongest parts of the movie is the acting. Dustin Hoffman is amazing in this movie, switching back and forth between Michael and Dorthy, and all the complex feelings that get mixed up because of his duel life. Jessica Lange, who is currently in the new TV show American Horror Story, is in a very young role here, but still very good, and I knew I recognized her from somewhere, which turned out to be Rob Roy, alongside Liam Neeson. Also in this cast we have a small side role by Bill Murray, who apparently improvised all his lines in the film. In another very small role you'll recognize Geena Davis who was in Beetlejuice and Thelma & Louise (which I must admit I've never seen the latter).

Julie invites Dorthy over to practice lines, but Michael secretly likes her

As for my concerns about possible looking down on gay or lesbian people, the movie was surprisingly delicate and sensitive about the subject. Yes, it does come up, but it's never said in a really negative way. Of course when the inevitable reveal that Dorthy and Michael are one and the same, a few of the characters are a little shocked and confused, as is to be expected for the times. The thing is, they seem to be more offended that they were lied to, than any possibility that Michael is gay.

Tootsie is one of those generally happy, feel good comedies that actually has a pretty good message in it. One of the best lines in the movie is "I was a better man with you as a woman than I ever was with a woman as a man. Know what I mean?" It's hard to wrap your brain around, but it actually makes total sense. I always liked the scenes of Michael talking about his day as Dorthy and how she handles herself. "I think Dorthy is smarter than I am. I just wish I looked prettier." he says at one point. Basically he becomes a better person by being a woman for a while. The gender bending in so many of the lines is hilarious and just fun. I thought this was a really good movie, and I can easily recommend it. I know Dustin Hoffman doesn't make the prettiest woman, but if you liked Mrs. Doubtfire, you'll probably love this too.