On day 200 of the year, lets go back to 1988 and talk about the sheer beauty and brilliance of Barry Levinson’s RAIN MAN. The film, which could have gone in any direction, tells the story of Charlie Babbitt (Cruise) who finds out the bulk of his recently deceased father’s fortune is going to an older autistic brother he had no memory of. It goes from what could have been a “buddy pic” to something more. The performances are stellar and this film probably cemented Cruise as a star. Hoffman, no slouch in his own right, picks up a golden statue at the Oscars for this role and the film also goes on to be lauded for for Best Picture/Director/Actor and Screenplay of that year. By the end of the film, Charlie is a changed man, has been changed for the better for having had Raymond in his life and you get a sense that although they cannot be together, this is not the end of Charlie and Raymond’s journey.