One of the highlights of Dustin Hoffman's illustrious career, this cross-dressing comedy drama avoids all the obvious pitfalls and manages to make some pertinent comments about the role of women within both showbiz and society. Hoffman's Dorothy Michaels is a wonderfully realised creation and testament to the actor's painstaking preparation for a part. Director Sydney Pollack judges the shifts of tone to perfection, but special mention should be made of his clever pastiche of daytime soaps. Nominated for ten Oscars, the film landed only one - a best supporting statuette for Jessica Lange, who pipped co-star Teri Garr for the award.

When struggling, out of work actor Michael Dorsey secretly adopts a female alter ego – Dorothy Michaels – in order to land a part in a daytime drama, he unwittingly becomes a feminist icon and ends up in a romantic pickle.