In one analysis the film is flawed because the female characters, Sandy and Julie, permit themselves to be mistreated by men. But this is a comedy. Sandy and Julie are intended to represent women who are submissive and allow men to mistreat them. Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, Teri Garr, Dabney Goleman, Charles Durning, Bill Murray, Sydney Pollack, George Gaynes and Geena Davis. The lives of the vast majority of actors are quite difficult.
Jobs are extremely scarce.
Most actors make their living through employment unrelated to acting, such as waiting on tables in a restaurant. Dustin Hoffman acted on Broadway for many years, taught acting classes, took menial jobs to support himself, and developed a reputation for being hard to work with. Hoffman spent four years on Tootsie . Long before Sydney Pollack was involved, Hoffman was editing the script, interviewing actresses for the leading roles etc. Even when Pollack came on board as director and producer, Hoffman was involved in the decision making.