Tootsie (1982): ****

Tootsie (1982) follows Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman), an actor with a reputation of being difficult to work with and consequently struggling to find work. When his friend Sandy (Teri Garr) auditions for a role in a hospital soap opera but doesn’t get the part, Michael decides to audition for the role, cross-dressing as Dorothy Michaels. Dorothy is a major success for the programme, but Michael begins to develop feelings for his co-star Julie Nichols (Jessica Lange) and becomes the target for several men’s affections. At face value, it sounds like a broad cross-dressing comedy, full of slap-stick and misinterpreted intentions, which it is. However, it treats its premise with sincerity and makes some serious feminist observations, particularly relating to the entertainment industry.  

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