Well-respected American actor and director, Philip Seymour Hoffman, passed away today-- a terrible loss for the Hollywood community and movie buffs all over the world.
For Hoffman, no character was out of bounds. He could master the combination of humor and wit, or act as a corrupt, bad guy-- we loved it all the same.
There are few actors who can deliver any role with personal style and Hoffman was truly one of them. He interpreted every single character very meticulously and became them. When one can act as a villain or the do-good protagonist and you still root for him or her, you know that they're acting is superb.
His skill was rewarded with an Oscar for Capote and three other nominations for The Master, Doubt, and Charlie Wilson’s War.
Losing to his battle of drugs, Hoffman was open with his substance abuse issue after participating in the NYU drama school, which resulted in rehab and attempting to sober up.
The loss of a great actor always leaves celebrities and fans alike, feeling a huge loss.
There is one way, though, that everyone can honor his memory and make sure his legacy lives on.
Whether you're Hoffman's number one fan or if you've only seen a few movies, do yourself, and Hoffman, a favor and experience the true talent he had to offer the world. Let's highlight a few of Hoffman's best films-- maybe the descriptions will spark enough interest and make their way onto your "movies to watch next" list.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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10. Lester Bangs, Almost Famous (2000)
Hoffman’s character, Lester Bangs, only appears a few times throughout this movie, but when he does he acts as an essential character due to his lively and fantastic presentation. Hoffman acts as a humorous, drug ridden, rock music lover which outlines the soon to be, exceptional writer. He nails his character in every aspect.
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9. Lenny Savage, The Savages (2007)
The Savages is a film about a sister and brother who become cornered into taking care of their violent father as he passes away. He acts alongside Laura Linney, balancing one another out perfectly, with her anxious tendencies and his enduring qualities. Most people can find similar qualities in themselves, that they see in Lenny Savage.
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8. Brandt, The Big Lebowski 1998
The Big Lebowski is chock full of rambling wise guys, yet Hoffman finds a way to shine in a small role, beneath all of the chaos. He plays Brandt, the Big Lebowski’s personal assistant who attempts to mediate the two Lebowskis. His awkward and funny performance embodies everything Brandt is, down to his laugh and unique name.
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7. Gus Avrakotos, Charlie Wilson’s War (2007)
Hoffman’s portrayal of the vulgar CIA agent resulted in an Oscar nominee. He acts alongside Tom Hanks as Congressman Charlie Wilson and even happens to outshine Hanks’ performance—a hard thing to do. Hoffman portrays Avrakotos as a witty, fast thinker and brings justice to his character. Many people before the novel and movie, did not know of Gust avrakotos—but that quickly changed after the film.
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6. Jacob Elinsky, 25th Hour 2002
Hoffman and Edward Norton act side by side in this Spike Lee film. Hoffman plays Jacob Elinsky, a High School English teacher who finds himself with romantic feelings towards a student. His best friend, Monty Brogan (Norton), has 24 hour before entering jail, where Hoffman’s character doesn’t leave his friends side as he contemplates what life in jail will be life. Hoffman’s role could’ve turned awry and awkward, but as usual, he manages to bring out the best of his character. Instead of his character being shameful, he shines through his best qualities to make the viewer feel sympathy, not disgust.
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5. Dean Trumbell, Punch Drunk Love 2002
In this rom-com on the brink of a nervous breakdown, Hoffman and Adam Sandler’s characters are at odds. Sandler, who plays, Barry Egan, calls a phone sex hotline, and finds himself as a victim of extortion. Bad guy and ‘legitimate’ hotline business owner Dean Trumbell (Hoffman), sends a few of his goons after Egan to ‘rough up’ and collect the money from Egan. His violent, hard-headed and malicious qualities make you feel bad for Egan. When you dislike a character, you know they’re acting is on point—that is exactly what Hoffman accomplishes.
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4. Andy Hanson, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead 2007
Hoffman’s character, Andy Hanson, embodies a plethora of negative qualities. He plans to steal from his own flesh and blood in the form of his parents, murders his mother as well as a few others to try and save himself and cover any evidence. Although this character is unlikeable, to say the least, he is strangely relatable. Let’s be honest, I hope most of us wouldn’t cause any harm to our parents in order to have more money for a drug habit, but we could relate to his fear and desperation to get himself out of a terrible downward spiral.
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3. Scotty J., Boogie Nights (1997)
Boogie Nights gave Hoffman his breakout role as Scotty J and to this day, is classified as one of his most unforgettable characters. Scotty, who has the hots for Mark Wahlburg, as many people who walk the earth do, was an eager and overly animated soundman. Hoffman found his acting career in Boogie Nights as Scotty J., a character that could’ve caught adrift among the other well-known and talented actors.
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2. Father Flynn, Doubt(2008)
The title of the movie says it all. Doubt is the perfect way to describe the plagued emotion that is shown through out the film. Hoffman’s role as Father Flynn, leaves viewers ‘doubtful’ of how they perceive him. Father Flynn is a father at a Bronx church who is rumored to be having a forbidden romantic relationship with an alter boy. His performance scales the edge of right and wrong by convincing the viewer that he is one hundred percent guilty, but still being maltreated.
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1. Truman Capote, Capote (2005)
By magically shrinking almost a half a foot and changing his voice drastically, Hoffman becomes the unmanly and larger-than-life disposition of Truman Capote. The same year, another film involving a similar story, Infamous came out. Hoffman’s performance in Capote , blew Infamous out of the water. He received an Academy Award for Best Actor in what is considered to be his greatest and most stimulating performance yet.
Photo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons