Tootsie

One of the most charming films born of the 80's was the delightful cross-dressing comedy Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman and directed by Sydney Pollack.

Michael Dorsey (Dustin Hoffman) is a New York method actor whose stubborn opinions on how he should play roles have earned him a reputation as 'difficult'. He is able to give succinct advice when teaching his fellow actors, but he can't seem to land a job himself. During a hilarious argument with his frustrated agent George Fields (Sydney Pollack), he is told that no-one will hire him. All Michael wants to do is raise enough money to put on a play written by his roomate Jeff (Bill Murray).

As part of his pro-active teaching methods, Michael takes his friend Sandy (Terri Garr) to try out for a part in a soap opera. In fact, he is better at being a confident woman than she is. When she doesn't get the part, Michael sees an opportunity to get work without the Dorsey stigma getting in the way. He transforms himself into Dorothy Michaels, sweet talkin' southern gal, with a stern and sometimes frighteningly forceful manner!

Dorothy's strong will wins a part in Southwest General, a wonderfully cheesy daytime soap where s/he meets co-stars Julie Nichols (Jessica Lange) and John Van Horn (George Gaynes). It is here that she is nicknamed Tootsie by the show's chauvenistic director (Dabney Coleman). Dorothy's cattle prod assertiveness increases her popularity with the hoards of female fans and the show's ratings skyrocket.

Complications arise as Dorothy starts to spend time with Julie and falls in love with her, but Julie's father Les (Charles Durning) also has his eye on the strong-willed southern belle, and Dorothy is caught in the middle! Watch out for the terrific montage at Les' farmhouse where the old romantic gazes at Dorothy whilst she falls for Julie!

Soon the pressure is too much, hopping from one identity to another is giving our harried actor an identity crisis, and so 'Tootsie' needs to come out of the closet.