Overview
A hilarious journey of self-discovery and mistaken identities unfolds in the heart of New York City.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- warm
- satirical
- lazy sunday
- date night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as an exceptionally entertaining blend of farce, heartfelt tenderness, show-business satire, and pointed observations about sexism.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Michael Dorsey creates Dorothy Michaels to secure an acting role, and the sustained disguise drives the comedy and interpersonal confusion.
Dorothy's experiences in daytime television reveal differing expectations placed on women, while her influence encourages female characters to resist male control.
Michael must balance his private identity, Dorothy's public persona, his career, and several relationships formed under false assumptions.
The daytime drama production provides the workplace setting, melodramatic rhythms, and target for the film's show-business humor.
Films like Tootsie, and why
Some Like It Hot
shared gender disguise premise, workplace farce, romantic complications, and commentary on sexism
Shakespeare in Love
shared theatrical ambition, romantic entanglements, witty ensemble comedy, and performance-driven mistaken identity
Mrs. Doubtfire
shared fish out of water humor, gender-role satire, romantic comedy, and socially observant warmth
The Birdcage
shared show-business setting, satirical comedy, complicated relationships, and ensemble chemistry
Movie Details
- Director
- Sydney Pollack
- Release Date
- 1982-12-17
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 7.2 / 10 (1986)
Cast
- Dustin Hoffman
- Jessica Lange
- Teri Garr
- Dabney Coleman
- Charles Durning
- Bill Murray
- Sydney Pollack
- George Gaynes
- Geena Davis
- Doris Belack
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Tootsie about?
- An unemployed New York actor finds career success by living publicly as a woman, only to discover that the disguise transforms his relationships and understanding of gender.
- What is Tootsie like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tootsie as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Tootsie violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Tootsie.
- What did critics think of Tootsie?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as an exceptionally entertaining blend of farce, heartfelt tenderness, show-business satire, and pointed observations about sexism.
- Which films are like Tootsie?
- Films with a similar feel include Some Like It Hot, Shakespeare in Love, Mrs. Doubtfire, and The Birdcage.
- How long is Tootsie?
- Tootsie runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Tootsie?
- In United States, Tootsie streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
