Ethics in Media - The Rain Man - Movie Review Example

The yuppie Charlie was thrown out of home by his father during his teenage because of wrongdoing. After many years, Charlie came to know that his estranged father has died and left for him only a car and a bunch of flowers. He learns that his father has willed $3 Million to a medical trust, namely Walbrook Institute, which is to be received by someone whose name is Raymond. Charlie goes to the trust to find out about the person and learns that Raymond, an autistic man, is his elder brother who has been kept in the trust because of his impaired mental situation.

His father never told this fact to him. Raymond is capable of doing complicated mathematical calculations. In order to achieve a share in money, Charlie abducts Raymond and blackmails the doctors to give him $ 1.5 Million. Later, Charlie takes Raymond to Las Vegas where Raymond helps Charlie in achieving $86,000 in gambling with his outstanding ability of calculation. At this point, there starts an emotional attachment between the two brothers. They reconnect. Attachment with Raymond teaches Charlie patience, kindness, and tolerance.

On the other hand, Raymond shows great improvement as a result of their companionship with Charlie. They share the joke and make fun as well which greatly contributes to improving many of Raymond’s odd behaviors. Now Charlie doesn’t want to lose Raymond. Doctors force Charlie to give Raymond back even they offer $250,000 to him but he rejects and refuses to give Raymond back. Doctors exhibit Raymond’s impaired condition to Charlie and say that if Raymond is not kept under the supervision of doctors, he might harm himself by involuntary reactions.

The doctor Hearing this, Charlie finally unwillingly agrees to send Raymond back to the mental institution by promising Raymond that he will visit him frequently. Ethical Issues: Charlie’s companionship with Raymond teaches Charlie the principle of toleration and the principle of respect for persons. Charlie was previously a self-centered and rigid person but the entrance of Raymond brought tremendous changes in his life. His decision to send Raymond back Hospital depicts one of the basic principles of morality - a principle of nonmaleficence which suggests not to harm anyone deliberately and advice to seek the patient’s good (ascensionhealth.org). The principle of respect of autonomy, which implies that one should be provided self-determination, was hurt as doctors’ decision was deemed on Raymond to live in Hospital.

Moreover, in the hospital, Raymond would be suppressed and could not enjoy freedom.