Barry Levinson's Rain Man

In the movie Rain Man directed by Barry Levinson, the main character Charlie Babbit is an egocentric hustler who buys and sells elegant Lamborghinis to hard working individuals in an elaborate scheme to earn fast money. Just when he believes he has successfully conned another buyer, Charlie learns that his father has passed away. Charlie seems to lack remorse for his father’s death. This reaction is revealed to be a result of the relationship the two shared during Charlie’s teenage years. When Charlie was 16 years old, he believed he had earned the right to take his father’s 1948 Buick convertible out for a victory lap with a few of his buddies to celebrate his superb grades. However, his father did not share the same thought process. When
At first Charlie cannot understand or tolerate Raymond’s repetitive nagging tendency. However, a turning point occurs at a stop in a Texas motel where the two brothers begin to connect. It is at this moment when Charlie begins to develop a true relationship with his brother and understanding of his father. They continue the trip to LA and a dramatic change is observed in Charlie’s treatment of Raymond as he begins to care for his older brother. Charlie realizes his brother has a tremendous ability to recognize numbers and takes advantages of this talent by taking Raymond to Las Vegas to count cards. Raymond innocently wins over $86,000. However it is the emotional bond and connection between brothers that is the more rewarding pay off of the trip. That night in Vegas, Charlie and Raymond get closer than ever as Charlie teaches him how to dance for his date. The next morning they finally reach Los Angeles and when it is time for the custody hearing over Raymond, Charlie revaluates his actions and no longer wants custody for the money. Instead, Charlie denies the money and just wants custody of Raymond because it is the first time he has been able to connect so deeply and so closely with a family member since his mother passed away and his relationship ended with his father. However, after the meeting with the doctors, Charlie reluctantly realizes the best place for his
This is great that they will still stay in contact, but it is not as easy or as convenient as it would be if they were living together. According to Joanna Kaakinen (2015) Florence Nightingale’s family theory suggest, “Family is described as having both positive and negative influences on the outcome of family members. The family is seen as a supportive institution throughout the life span for its individual family members” (p. 72). In the case of the Babbitt’s, Charlie experienced many traumatizing and negative events that he associated with his family. This ultimately forced to him to abandon them at a young age. With that being said, he eventually finds his way back to them and discovers his older brother Raymond. His brother initially drives him crazy, but then later becomes a positive influence on his life. Raymond fills a huge void in Charlie’s life and becomes an important support system. In doing so, he learns to forgive his father, allowing his relationship with his family to come full