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AFI (1998) • AFI-062

Tootsie

1982 • Sydney Pollack
Tootsie poster
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ABOUT THIS FILM
RUNTIME
116 minutes
FAMOUS QUOTE
“I was a better man with you, as a woman, than I ever was with a woman, as a man.”

Sydney Pollack’s comedy follows struggling actor Michael Dorsey, whose reputation for being difficult prevents him from finding work. Desperate for a job, Michael disguises himself as a woman named Dorothy Michaels and lands a role on a popular television soap opera. As Dorothy becomes a sensation, Michael must navigate complicated relationships with his coworkers while maintaining the disguise. Dustin Hoffman delivers a nuanced performance that blends comedy with thoughtful commentary on gender roles and professional respect. The film’s humor arises from both absurd situations and genuine emotional insight. Tootsie remains one of Hollywood’s most intelligent and beloved comedies.

Why it matters

  • It endures because its core tensions (infidelity; new york city; love) still feel modern, and the emotional turns land hard.
  • It’s a masterclass in Comedy, Romance storytelling—efficient scene work, memorable set-pieces, and choices that keep the tone confident.
  • As a time-capsule and an influence engine, it’s a key snapshot of 1982—and you can feel its DNA in countless films that followed.

Watch for

  • Recurring motifs and touchpoints (infidelity, new york city, love, friends, feminist, cross dressing)—notice how they show up, evolve, or get subverted scene-to-scene.
  • How information is revealed (or withheld): pay attention to what you learn first, and what you only understand in hindsight.
  • Performance details in close-ups—pauses, glances, and timing often do more than the lines.
  • Transitions and visual rhymes: watch how the film connects scenes through matching images, sound bridges, or repeated blocking.

Vibe

ComedyGender PerformanceRomantic ConfusionShowbiz SatireIdentity FarceNew York ComedyEmpathy & ReinventionEighties SophisticationSharp Character ComedyTransformation Tale
AFI RANK
1998: #62
2007: #69
▼Moved down 7 spots