Theatre Review (London): Rain Man (Adapted for the Stage by Dan Gordon)

When fast-talking Charlie Babbitt’s father passes away he leaves $12 million to an unknown beneficiary. Feeling the sting of what he considers his father’s parting shot, and desperate to save his business, Charlie pursues the money to discover that it has been left to Raymond, an autistic brother he never knew he had. In a classic road-trip trajectory Charlie drives Raymond to Vegas to exploit his genius, realising much about his brother and himself along the way. A story originally told in the 1988 film of the same name, Rain Man has recently been brought to London’s West End with Josh Hartnett playing the role of Charlie and Adam Godley as the autistic savant Raymond.

It's not an easy charge, considering the acclaim and recognition the original film has received, but Dan Gordon’s adaptation, directed by Terry Johnson, hits only a few bum notes. Without a film's advantage of exterior shots and editing, the loss of much original pathos was inevitable, making the theatrical undertaking of the quasi-iconic tale quite risky. However, considering its youth on the stage, I left the theatre quite a bit more satisfied than in many other recent trips to London’s West End.

The draw for much of the audience (and critics), for the moment, is the latest of the Hollywood A-listers to tread the boards, Josh Hartnett. The actor is, if anything, at a distinct disadvantage because of his Clark Gable-like looks. Too easily come the cries of sight over substance and the obvious effect of his stardom on box office success. He needs to work twice as hard for critical appreciation from those who are too readily sceptical that he will display any skill beyond a smoulder.

The doubts are unfair, as Hartnett embodies a Charlie Babbitt almost equal to Tom Cruise’s solid performance in the original. With big shoes to fill, Hartnett establishes a character full of blind arrogance and bullish determination, and able to gradually reveal the soft side we all know is there. He is full of questions and sincere frustration; his many silences (which could almost be mistaken for a failure to remember lines) actually result in the sort of moments that exist in the 'real world'.

Article Author: Tania Patti

Tania studied Cinema Studies and English at the University of Melbourne, Australia and Queens University Canada, completing her Honours in Cinema. Since graduating she has worked in various areas of film and television in London and Australia and since …

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