Yesterday, we learned of one of the most heartbreaking losses in the film world; the wonderfully talented and quite brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman had passed away.
Hoffman, who had spent most of his life struggling with addiction issues, had apparently died from a drug overdose.
What was quite wonderful was the outpouring of grief on social networks. Upon hearing the news, twitter and facebook, among others, were flooded with tributes to a man who was arguably one of the greatest actors of our time. Scratch that, Hoffman was the greatest actor of our time.
All you have to do is take a look at a back catalogue that would make most other actors give up their career in jealously to realise how talented he actually was; Hoffman brought something to every single production he starred in. Reading his name on cast lists filled you with such an air of confidence about the film, you knew that even if the entire piece was a shambles, Hoffman would steal the show with another breathtaking performance.
From a priest with plenty of controversy surrounding his career to a talented, well-known American author, there was no one that Hoffman couldn’t play. He was one of our favourites, a great and talented actor and we will miss him dearly.
Below are some of our favourite performances, although there are so many, many more.
1. Truman Capote – Capote
Everyone knew that Hoffman was going to win that Oscar before his name was read out; his turn as Truman Capote will forever be held up as one of the greatest performances from a leading actor. That voice, that presence, that intelligence, that obsession. No one else could play that role except for Hoffman and he played it within an inch of its life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwpVqRLsVSI
2. Brandt – The Big Lebowski
“This is our concern, dude…” Perhaps it doesn’t show his very extensive acting capabilities, but it does give us an idea of the range that Hoffman was capable of; he almost looked like he relished every single moment on screen. Hoffman and the Coens, was there anything more glorious on the big screen?
3. Rusty – Flawless
“Let me savour those words for a moment…” If this doesn’t display commitment to character, we’re not sure what does, but let’s get this straight. Rusty was not a drag queen, he was an artist, and with the depth Hoffman gave to his character, he most certainly was.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cl2chZ9WDpc
4. Phil Parma – Magnolia
“This is the scene in the movie where you help me out…” Hoffman played Parma, a nurse to a TV executive who was suffering from cancer. The performance was touching and a bit too real, especially the scene with the phone call that brought this dramatic plea. It gets us every time.
5. Sandy Lyle – Along Came Polly
What’s not to love? Sandy was a child actor who, let’s face it, just couldn’t let it go. Poor Sandy was convinced that everyone knew him and… that he could play basketball. LET IT RAIN! Funny and completely from left of field, Hoffman was the star of this show.
6. Father Brendan Flynn – Doubt
Hoffman gave his all to this role, a priest who was suspected of having inappropriate relationship with a troubled student. Put through questioning by Streep’s Aloysius Beauvier, you are never fully sure what has actually happened between Flynn and the boy. Think of it this way, the fact that you have enough doubt proves that Hoffman has more than done his job.
