Many people watch movies and fail to realize that some movies were inspired by real life events or people. Some producers make movies to educate the public about issues that face our society or to inform us about diseases and disorders that may affect our lives presently or in the future. ‘Rain Man’ is one such movie and it gives the public a look into the life of someone who suffers a common disorder, Autism, with an uncommon but extraordinary form of the disorder, Savant Syndrome.
Movie Review
Rain Man, written in 1988 by Barry Morrow, is based on the life of a man named, Kim Peek (1951-2009), an autistic savant who was described as a man with “abilities in a sea of disabilities” (Berkes, 2009, December 22). The movie stars Dustin Hoffman (Raymond; aka Rain Main) and Tom Cruise (Charlie).
Charlie owns a car business that is going bankrupt; he is called away for his estranged father’s funeral. When his father’s attorney reads the will Charlie becomes upset that he has inherited only his father’s old car and prize winning rose bushes and that an unknown trustee has inherited $3million. Charlie drives to a place that he realizes is a mental institution and meets with the doctor in charge of the trust. As he leaves he notices a man sitting in the car with his girlfriend who has been outside waiting for him. The man begins to repeat that he is a good driver and gives various details about the car including the original color of the leather seats. After asking a few questions to the man Charlie learns that the man is his brother and further inquiries reveal that his brother is the beneficiary to the $3million. This information infuriates Charlie because Raymond has no concept of money; he coaxes Raymond to go with him on a trip then calls the doctor back and requests half of the inheritance for Raymond’s return. Charlie receives a call from his business partner informing him that three cars worth $75,000 have been ceased and the people who paid down payments on these cars wanted their money back right away. Charlie’s has a fight with his girlfriend because she thinks he is mistreating Raymond and should return him to the institution. Charlie receives another phone call from his business partner telling him he needs to return home immediately because the business is being shutdown; he purchases two plane tickets and decides to drive home after Raymond has an outburst over being forced to ride in a plane that he feels is unsafe. Raymond has another outburst forcing Charlie to drive on back roads because he thinks highways are unsafe after seeing a fatal accident. In the beginning of their relationship Charlie is easily annoyed by Raymond’s many routines and requirements like only eating with toothpicks, watching People’s Court and Jeopardy at certain times of the day, placing his bed by the window, and needing certain meals at specific times on specific days. Charlie become so frustrated with Raymond that he takes him to see a doctor and learns that Raymond can perform complex mathematical calculations without the use of a calculator but does not understand how to calculate money. This revelation gives Charlie the idea of teaching Raymond to count cards in a casino winning them enough money to settle the debts from his business; Charlie places a large bet on another game because of a tip from Raymond but loses. Charlie’s girlfriend returns and sits with Raymond as he waits for a woman he met in the bar to arrive for a date but she never comes. Raymond was disappointed that the girl never shows up and on their way back to the room Charlie’s girlfriend asks Raymond to show her the dance he was going to dance with his date. She stops the elevator and dances with Raymond and teaches him how to kiss a girl. Charlie and Raymond begins to connect as brothers and forgive his father when Charlie learns that his father sent Raymond away because he thought he was trying to hurt Charlie with hot bath water but, in fact, he was trying to save Charlie from being burned. Charlie learns that Raymond use to sing to him every night. He learns that the “Rain Man” who comforted him was Raymond but Charlie was too young to say his name properly. In the end the doctor and Charlie have a custody hearing for Raymond and the mediator decides that Raymond should return to the institution. Charlie promises he will visit Raymond frequently.
Emotional and Cognitive Issues
Raymond has many emotional and cognitive issues. When he begins to feel uncomfortable or gets upset he recites in repetition Abbot and Costello’s joke of Who’s on First. He does not understand that this is not a riddle that needs to be solved until later in the movie when Charlie is able to convince him that it is a joke and supposed to be funny. He will not allow anyone to touch him and logs in a notebook every time someone touches him. At one point, Charlie tries to hug him and he has an emotional outburst. Soon after Charlie tried to hug him, Raymond allowed Charlie’s girlfriend to kiss him; later in the movie Raymond connects with Charlie and lays his head against Charlie’s head to show him that he does indeed love him. Raymond is able to instantly recall information he has read, watched, or heard; when he and Charlie are in the restaurant he recalls the waitress’ address and phone number after reading it in the phone book the night before. He can recall the events of any date and instantly count large amount of items. Even though Raymond is a middle aged man he is unable to hold coherent conversations; he holds conversations like a toddler using words or small phrases (Berke, 2004). The only time he is able to speak coherently is when he begins reciting stored information. Raymond needs routines and rituals to maintain a sense of normalcy and safety. He must have his bed placed by the window before he is able to sleep and adheres to a strict unchanging schedule of meals, entertainment, and rest.
Savant’s Syndrome
People who have Savant’s Syndrome have severe mental and physical disabilities. They are unable to function as normal people; they do not have the ability to think or speak logically but have a brain (mainly the right hemisphere) that stores information like a computer. Even though Savants are unable to function in the basics of life they have rare abilities in music, reading, math, art, or memory that exceeds their disability (Hiles, 2001).
Conclusion
Although Savants are low functioning individuals in basic daily tasks they are considered to be genius because they are highly functioning in other areas. Savants require daily care and frequent monitoring because of their disability. A familiar environment is the key to preventing many emotional outbursts. Even though their rare abilities are fascinating it is very important to treat them as any other individual by not making them the center of attention and a circus side show as some have. While the public needs to be educated on syndromes like these it is important to maintain a healthy balance when studying these individuals and educating the public.
References
Berke, L. (2004). Development Through the Lifespan, Third Edition. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.
Berkes, H. (2009, December 22). The man who inspired rain man dies at 58 [Radio series episode]. In (Executive Producer), All Things Considered. Salt Lake City: NPR.
Hines, D. (2001). Savant Syndrome. Retrieved April 26, 2010 from http://www.psy.dmu.ac.uk/drhiles/Savant%20Syndrome.htm
