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Philip Seymour Hoffman
Whether you’re a mainstream film maniac or an indie guru, Philip Seymour Hoffman is no stranger. You can see him in just about any genre, from disaster movie Twister and horror-comedy My Boyfriend’s Back to comedies like Along Came Polly and cult favorite The Big Lebowski. However, the films I most enjoy seeing him in are indie films like Boogie Nights, Magnolia and Happiness.
Of course, when it comes to Hoffman and film, it’s hard to not also mention his roles in Almost Famous (he’s a PERFECT Lester Bangs), Doubt and Charlie Wilson’s War, in which the latter two earned him Oscar nominations. Naturally, seeing him star in this week’s indie release Pirate Radio (or The Boat That Rocked, for you Brits), does nothing but excite me, so I thought I’d gush for a bit about my favorite Hoffman films: Capote, The Savages and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.
While there isn’t much to say about Capote that hasn’t already been said, I thought I’d give my two cents on the film. Normally, I’m not into biopics, especially if they’re of people I don’t know much about or don’t find super interesting. However, Hoffman totally changed that for me. I was absolutely mesmerized by his performance, of Truman Capote. Sometimes going into things completely blind is the best icebreaker to a subject; in this case, the story behind the novel, In Cold Blood. Even years later, I find myself still shaken by how eerily spot-on Hoffman’s performance was. He’s proof that method acting isn’t dead.
The Savages is a completely different experience but is powerful in the same fashion. Starring alongside Laura Linney (whose performance in the film was Oscar-nominated), Hoffman stars as a drama professor who has to take care of his ailing father with his sister, a struggling playwright. The family is very disconnected and seeing them try to cope with something so difficult is heartbreaking, humorous and realistic. Of course, there are a lot of awkward and uncomfortable moments but there’s never a time when the film feels pretentious or forced. It’s organic, which is why it’s easy to watch despite the trials and tribulations the characters face.
Hoffman is particularly amazing in The Savages because he plays a double role: as comic relief and as a shared catalyst to the film’s climax. The more Hoffman’s character is coming to terms with his life and the future of his father’s life, the drama really starts to intensify. I personally found myself feeling sympathetic for and disliking his character all at once, which is a response I don’t feel very often with actors’ roles.
The opening to Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead was just wrong. I’ll go ahead and say it. While I don’t mind nudity all that much, I would prefer to ease into seeing a bare-assed Hoffman versus being shoved into it right off the bat. However, putting this mildly scarring experience aside, this movie was better than I expected. Telling the tale of two brothers’ robbery attempt going horribly wrong, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead really puts the drama back in the heist film.
I have a hard time expressing just how amazing Hoffman is in this film, because he’s really playing several characters in one: the distraught son, the vengeful husband and the manipulative brother. I really think Hoffman’s role in this film is one of his best, displaying true complexity and brilliance at once. From the second he’s introduced on screen, you’re immediately drawn to him (bare ass aside) and as much as you want to look away, you can’t until the credits start to roll.
Hoffman is not only proof that a good actor can make or break a movie, but that certain people’s presences on-set can improve the general quality of a film. The case in point: Ethan Hawke. While I think Hawke’s been pretty “blah” in films for quite some time, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by him in this film. Hoffman and Hawke worked well off each other, making the film uncomfortably enjoyable to watch. I had no idea what was coming next, which is a feeling that so many crime films forget these days.
What's your favorite Hoffman movie? I know you have one ;)
Of course, when it comes to Hoffman and film, it’s hard to not also mention his roles in Almost Famous (he’s a PERFECT Lester Bangs), Doubt and Charlie Wilson’s War, in which the latter two earned him Oscar nominations. Naturally, seeing him star in this week’s indie release Pirate Radio (or The Boat That Rocked, for you Brits), does nothing but excite me, so I thought I’d gush for a bit about my favorite Hoffman films: Capote, The Savages and Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.
While there isn’t much to say about Capote that hasn’t already been said, I thought I’d give my two cents on the film. Normally, I’m not into biopics, especially if they’re of people I don’t know much about or don’t find super interesting. However, Hoffman totally changed that for me. I was absolutely mesmerized by his performance, of Truman Capote. Sometimes going into things completely blind is the best icebreaker to a subject; in this case, the story behind the novel, In Cold Blood. Even years later, I find myself still shaken by how eerily spot-on Hoffman’s performance was. He’s proof that method acting isn’t dead.
The Savages is a completely different experience but is powerful in the same fashion. Starring alongside Laura Linney (whose performance in the film was Oscar-nominated), Hoffman stars as a drama professor who has to take care of his ailing father with his sister, a struggling playwright. The family is very disconnected and seeing them try to cope with something so difficult is heartbreaking, humorous and realistic. Of course, there are a lot of awkward and uncomfortable moments but there’s never a time when the film feels pretentious or forced. It’s organic, which is why it’s easy to watch despite the trials and tribulations the characters face.
Hoffman is particularly amazing in The Savages because he plays a double role: as comic relief and as a shared catalyst to the film’s climax. The more Hoffman’s character is coming to terms with his life and the future of his father’s life, the drama really starts to intensify. I personally found myself feeling sympathetic for and disliking his character all at once, which is a response I don’t feel very often with actors’ roles.
The opening to Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead was just wrong. I’ll go ahead and say it. While I don’t mind nudity all that much, I would prefer to ease into seeing a bare-assed Hoffman versus being shoved into it right off the bat. However, putting this mildly scarring experience aside, this movie was better than I expected. Telling the tale of two brothers’ robbery attempt going horribly wrong, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead really puts the drama back in the heist film.
I have a hard time expressing just how amazing Hoffman is in this film, because he’s really playing several characters in one: the distraught son, the vengeful husband and the manipulative brother. I really think Hoffman’s role in this film is one of his best, displaying true complexity and brilliance at once. From the second he’s introduced on screen, you’re immediately drawn to him (bare ass aside) and as much as you want to look away, you can’t until the credits start to roll.
Hoffman is not only proof that a good actor can make or break a movie, but that certain people’s presences on-set can improve the general quality of a film. The case in point: Ethan Hawke. While I think Hawke’s been pretty “blah” in films for quite some time, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by him in this film. Hoffman and Hawke worked well off each other, making the film uncomfortably enjoyable to watch. I had no idea what was coming next, which is a feeling that so many crime films forget these days.
What's your favorite Hoffman movie? I know you have one ;)
Add a Comment
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Comment by RorschachLives85 on November 15, 2009 at 3:31pm - his character in "almost famous" was the only remotely good thing in that film. god that movie pisses me off soo much
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Comment by Jenny on November 13, 2009 at 2:49am - What's amazing, if you do an IMDB search on him, is just how many great movies he's had bit parts in. Truly I feel one of our greatest character actors and he's suitably amazing in Pirate Radio.
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Comment by CheezySpam on November 12, 2009 at 4:04pm -
this man really does need to be Penguin in Nolverse. I think he'd be awesome. Especially after seeing his performance in Mission: Impossible 3! I'd never have figured him to be intimidating, but he rocks.
Some interview on youtube talked to him about it and he laughed it off. Not saying he wouldn't do it... just that he knew of the rumors. I think a movie like that would TOTALLY work for both PSH and Nolan's advantage.
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Comment by Idrake76 on November 12, 2009 at 11:57am - Boogie Nights FTW!!
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Comment by Crazinessisay on November 12, 2009 at 10:11am
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Comment by Jessica on November 11, 2009 at 11:47pm -
Magnolia- amazing! I feel like he's somewhat normal in that...The Big Lebowski and Before the Devil Knows You're Dead were definitely great. I agree about the various roles he had to play and I constantly thought "dude no way did he can Marisa Tomei as his wife."
I think the winner is Doubt though. I watched that movie twice and came out of it on two different sides after each viewing. I still have yet to watch Capote...I really think he's a prime example of not needing to be incredibly good looking to really get yourself out there with great leading roles. I enjoy watching him in anything!
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Comment by Aley on November 11, 2009 at 6:18pm - Awesome in Mission Impossible 3!
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Comment by Christiam Marquez on November 11, 2009 at 5:33pm -
Almoust Famous and Magnolia.....! are my favorite Hoffman movies.
He is one of the best actors now days. Can't wait to see The Boat that Rock
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Comment by buddy_jesus on November 11, 2009 at 4:46pm - Not really a Hoffman movie, but my favorite movie that he was in is Boogie Nights
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Comment by Timmy Cupcakes on November 11, 2009 at 4:43pm - PSH is great, in fact I think his character in Along Came Polly was really the only reason to give the movie any attention. We can easily say, this guy has some major range as an actor.
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