If the craft of acting is about taking risks, there's a reason why George Clooney and Brad Pitt are nearly unwatchable. And it's the reason why Philip Seymour Hoffman is the best actor going these days.
While the predictably staid Clooney and Pitt continue to play a moderately tweaked version of themselves with their every film effort, PS Hoffman has channeled an eclectic array of characters throughout his career.
I'm geek'd to head to my neighborhood turboplex to finally see Doubt this week, where Hoffman takes on the unsavory role of Father Flynn, an alleged pedophile Catholic priest.
To really appreciate PS Hoffman though, go back to his initial foray into film with his role as the smarmy prep school adversarial brat in Scent of a Woman. Al Pacino took full-throttled "hoo-hah!" critical acclaim for his part in this Oscar darling, however it was Hoffman that turned in the most genuine performance that has stood the test of time during cable reruns.
The essence of Hoffman can be captured through his roles in Boogie Nights, Magnolia, The Savages and Capote. Heck, you can even throw in Along Came Polly for a lighter dose - and guilty pleasure - of his brilliance.
Enjoy.
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2 comments:
Wow! Thanks so much for your kind words--that absolutely made my day. And I completely agree that Philip Seymour Hoffman is the best going right now. Seriously! Best to you in 2009!
Chris, my friend, you are dead on about PSH, but slightly off base about the lack of merit in one George Clooney. Do not compare apples to oranges, sir. Clooney's gift is not to immerse himself in a role, but to bring his own charisma to each, the way Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne did in their day. That may not excite one looking for challenging material at each venture to the cineplex, but I dare say PSH could not have played Danny Ocean, Archie Gates or Jack Foley with the same dashing aplomb. He probably could have torn it up as Michael Clayton, though.
For every Brando, Pacino, Penn, Blanchet and Seymour Hoffman who aim to disappear into roles, there are 20 Lemons, Eastwoods, Willises, Roberts and Clooneys needed to comfort us with Hollywood's reliable star power. And we shouldn't begrudge those (still quite remarkable) folks their inability to be chameleons.
Glad I found your blog site again, by the way. This is Chad from the Midwest, the dude you met on your 972,000th air mile a few years ago. This comment is to an old post, so you may not find it, but I'll respond to something more current later. Peace. And mad props to the George!
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