Tootsie (1982)

Tootsie (1982) is a warm, smart comedy‑drama about an impossibly talented but impossible-to-work-with actor, Michael Dorsey, who can’t find steady work because of his reputation. Desperate to pay the bills and help a friend mount a play, Michael adopts a female persona—Dorothy Michaels—and lands a short-term role on a trashy daytime hospital soap. What begins as a calculated ruse quickly snowballs: Dorothy becomes a hit, Michael loses himself in the role, and his alter ego starts to reshape how women around him think about themselves and demand respect. As Dorothy, Michael treats his castmates—especially the show’s gentle lead, Julie—with care and empathy he never showed as himself. That sympathy begets unexpected complications: Michael falls for Julie but can’t reveal his true identity without risking everything; two men (a charming co‑star and Julie’s father) fall for Dorothy; and a “no‑exit” contract extension threatens to trap him in the deception far longer than planned. The film balances laugh‑out‑loud moments from the cross‑dressing premise with genuine emotional beats as Michael confronts his own flaws and learns what it means to respect others. Viewers can expect a blend of broad, situational comedy and sharper social satire—especially about gender roles, workplace sexism, and the performative nature of identity—tempered by heartfelt romance and character growth. The ensemble dynamics create both chaotic farce and touching intimacy, so the experience alternates between belly laughs, awkward tenderness, and thoughtful moments of change. Tootsie is ultimately a crowd-pleasing, bittersweet romp that makes you laugh while nudging you to rethink how people behave when they must walk in someone else’s shoes.

Actors: Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr

Director: Sydney Pollack

Runtime: 116 min

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

7.1 /10 88 /100 7.4 /10 7.8 /10