Is Rain Man a True Story? Know Its Plot and Ending
by Aishwarya R
Updated Jul 10, 2023
Rain Man
Rain Man is a heartfelt 1988 film directed by Barry Levinson and written by Barry Morrow and Ronald Bass. The story revolves around Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise), a self-centered and ambitious young man who learns that his father has passed away, leaving his vast fortune to his unknown autistic savant brother, Raymond (Dustin Hoffman). Charlie, left with minimal inheritance, only receives his father's cherished vintage car and rosebushes.
Valeria Golino also stars as Charlie's girlfriend, Susanna. The character of Raymond was inspired by real-life savant Kim Peek, whom Morrow met. The film premiered at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won the prestigious Golden Bear award. Rain Man received critical acclaim and achieved both commercial success and recognition at the 61st Academy Awards. It grossed a substantial amount, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1988.
The film garnered eight Oscar nominations and won four, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (for Hoffman), and Best Original Screenplay. Rain Man holds the distinction of being the only film to win both the Berlin International Film Festival's top honor and the Best Picture Oscar in the same year. Furthermore, it remains the last MGM title to be nominated for Best Picture until Licorice Pizza in 2021, spanning a gap of 33 years.
Is Rain Man a True Story?
No, Rain Man is not based on a true story. While the character of Raymond Babbitt in the movie "Rain Man" was inspired by a real person named Kim Peek, the film itself is not a true story. Kim Peek had a rare condition called savant syndrome, which gave him remarkable talents, including an extraordinary memory. He could memorize books after hearing them once and could read two pages simultaneously, one with each eye. He had an incredible ability to recall vast amounts of information and had expertise in various subjects.
Screenwriter Barry Morrow met Kim Peek in 1985 and was so amazed by him that he decided to write a story based on his life, which eventually became "Rain Man." Dustin Hoffman, who portrayed Raymond in the film, met with Kim to prepare for his role. However, it's important to note that although the character Raymond was depicted as having autism, Kim Peek himself did not have autism. He had been initially misdiagnosed with autism but was later found to have a rare condition called FG syndrome.
Kim Peek traveled around the world with his father, giving lectures and promoting messages of equality. He made a significant impact on people's lives and inspired millions through his talks. Unfortunately, Kim passed away in 2009 at the age of 58 due to a heart attack. While "Rain Man" drew inspiration from Kim Peek's remarkable abilities, it took creative liberties and fictionalized the story for the purposes of the film.
Rain Man Plot
The plot of "Rain Man" revolves around Charlie Babbitt, a dealer in collectibles who is facing financial troubles. He has imported four Lamborghinis to sell but is unable to deliver them to the buyers due to the cars failing emission tests. Desperate to stall his creditor, Charlie directs his employee to lie to the buyers. However, Charlie's life takes an unexpected turn when he learns of his estranged father's death. He travels to Cincinnati with his girlfriend, Susanna, to settle the estate.
To his surprise, Charlie discovers that he has an older brother named Raymond, whom he was never aware of. Raymond has autism and savant syndrome, possessing incredible recall abilities but showing little emotional expression. Charlie decides to take Raymond out of the mental institution where he resides and bring him to Los Angeles. Along the way, they encounter challenges as Raymond insists on adhering to his strict routines, such as watching a specific TV show and avoiding travel during rain.
Charlie gradually learns more about Raymond's past and the impact he had on their family, including being the "Rain Man," a figure Charlie had mistakenly believed to be an imaginary friend. As Charlie and Raymond journey together, their bond grows, and Charlie discovers Raymond's remarkable mathematical abilities. However, their financial situation worsens when Charlie's creditor repossesses the Lamborghinis, leaving him deeply in debt. In a desperate attempt to repay his debts, Charlie and Raymond devise a plan to count cards and win money at a casino in Las Vegas.
Although they are caught by casino officials, they manage to win a substantial amount. Returning to Los Angeles, Charlie faces a difficult decision when Raymond's doctor offers him a significant sum of money to relinquish custody of his brother. Despite the financial temptation, Charlie realizes his love for Raymond and refuses the offer. In a meeting with a court-appointed psychiatrist, Raymond struggles to express his desires. Charlie intervenes, expressing his desire to have a genuine relationship with his brother.
Rain Man Ending Explained
he ending of "Rain Man" brings closure to the emotional journey of the characters. After Charlie's refusal to accept the monetary offer in exchange for Raymond's custody, the film reaches its resolution. Raymond and his doctor board a train to return to the mental institution where he resides, while Charlie promises to visit him regularly. The scene depicts a bittersweet farewell between Charlie and Raymond as they part ways temporarily.
Despite their differences and the challenges they faced throughout the film, their bond has deepened, and Charlie has come to appreciate and accept Raymond as his brother. It is a poignant moment as the train departs, signifying a physical separation but also symbolizing the ongoing connection between the brothers. Through this ending, "Rain Man" conveys a message of acceptance, love, and personal growth. Charlie has evolved from a selfish and materialistic individual to someone who values the importance of family and human connection.
He has learned to see beyond Raymond's limitations and recognize the unique qualities that make him special. The ending also leaves room for hope and the potential for a brighter future. Charlie's commitment to visiting Raymond reflects his dedication to maintaining their relationship and continuing to be a part of his life. It suggests that their journey together has transformed Charlie, and he has found a deeper sense of purpose and meaning.
The ending of "Rain Man" emphasizes the transformative power of familial bonds, the acceptance of differences, and the possibility of personal growth. It leaves the audience with a sense of emotional resonance and a reminder of the importance of compassion and connection in our lives.
Rain Man Cast
Dustin Hoffman
Raymond "Ray" Babbitt
Tom Cruise
Charles Sanford "Charlie" Babbitt
Valeria Golino
Susanna
Jerry Molen
Dr. Gerald Bruner
Ralph Seymour
Lenny
Michael D. Roberts
Vern
Bonnie Hunt
Sally Dibbs
Beth Grant
Mother at Farm House
Lucinda Jenney
Iris
Barry Levinson
Doctor
Bob Heckel
Sheriff Deputy
Actor
Character
Where to Watch Rain Man?
Rain Man is streaming on Prime Video. To watch "Rain Man" on Prime Video, Make sure you have an active subscription to Amazon Prime. If you're not already a Prime member, you can sign up for a subscription on the Amazon website. Visit the Prime Video website or open the Prime Video app on your preferred device. The app is available on various platforms, including smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, and streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Sign in to your Amazon Prime account using your credentials. Once logged in, search for "Rain Man" in the search bar at the top of the Prime Video website or app. Select the correct movie from the search results. Make sure it is the 1988 film directed by Barry Levinson and starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. On the movie's page, you will find details about the film, including the option to rent, buy, or watch it as part of your Prime subscription. If "Rain Man" is included with your Prime membership, you should see a "Watch Now" or "Play" button.
Click on the "Watch Now" or "Play" button to start streaming the movie. If prompted, choose the desired video quality or playback options. Enjoy watching "Rain Man" on Prime Video at your convenience. You can pause, resume, or rewind the movie as needed.
Is Rain Man a True Story - FAQs
No, "Rain Man" is not based on a true story. While the character of Raymond Babbitt was inspired by real-life individuals with savant syndrome, the specific events and story depicted in the film are fictional.
The character of Raymond Babbitt was inspired by real-life savants, particularly Kim Peek and Bill Sackter. Kim Peek, in particular, had exceptional memory and calculation abilities similar to Raymond's character.
Yes, Dustin Hoffman, who portrayed Raymond in the film, met with Kim Peek, one of the inspirations for the character. Their meeting helped Hoffman in preparing for his role and understanding the nuances of portraying a character with savant syndrome.
Savant syndrome is a rare condition in which individuals with developmental disorders, such as autism, exhibit exceptional skills or abilities in specific areas, such as memory, mathematics, music, or art. These abilities often contrast with their limitations in other areas of functioning.
The character of Raymond Babbitt was inspired by the real-life savants Kim Peek and Bill Sackter. Kim Peek, known for his exceptional memory, was a major influence on the character of Raymond. Bill Sackter, who was the subject of an earlier film written by Barry Morrow, also contributed to the characterization of Raymond. However, it's important to note that the story and events depicted in the film are fictional.