Not many actors earned appreciation of Phillip Seymour Hoffman. Since the 1990’s, Hoffman became an icon. Whether it’s masterful leaders, famous producers or writers, Hoffman portrayed several characters. However, in 2014 Hoffman’s career ended when he died. Hoffman’s heartbreaking death was a sad loss for the film industry. Listed below are my picks for the best movies made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Master
Psychologists are powerful figures that shaped my personality. At an early age, I formed strong bonds with a psychologist delivering an inspiring message. When I was diagnosed with severe anxiety, I began seeing a psychologist providing valuable therapy. A therapist with larger-than-life presence, he always gave me strong guidance. His inspiring words of wisdom gave me strength to cope with challenges posed by Autism. Few films I’ve ever seen have managed to capture the masterful role psychologists play shaping lives of people as powerfully as “The Master”. Released in 2012, Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s best movie captured an aimless drifter joining a psychological community offering therapy. In the greatest role of his career, Hoffman embodies a powerful psychologist that assists an aimless drifter facing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Hoffman has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through dramatic monologues, and “The Master” showcased his strengths as an actor. Working alongside Joaquin Phoenix who is also amazing, Hoffman created a psychological cult that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Lancaster Dodd engages in an intense interrogation asking Freddie a series of psychological questions about his life causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Master” a masterpiece is its message. the film delivers a meaningful message about the importance of finding one’s life purpose which would resonate with everyone. Unlike most movies about religious cults, it tackles commemorated themes everyone would relate to. A masterful portrait of aimless drifters whose decisions to join controversial religious cults cause lives to deteriorate, it’s a groundbreaking reminder about a commemorated actor that made memorable movies which audiences appreciate.
2. Magnolia
It’s always challenging facing the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit crushing lows when our housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower, she became victim of psychotic murder. Her death left my family mourning. No matter how hard we tried, my family couldn’t recover from the loss of a housekeeper that tragically died. As someone haunted by the death of a housemaid that caused trauma, I loved “Magnolia”. Released in 1999, Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s masterpiece captured individuals impacted by loss in America. In the most emotional role of his career, Hoffman embodies a nurse caring for a dying patient that causes despair. With “Magnolia”, the actor showcased vulnerability that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Hoffman created a nurse that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Phil Parma seeks to contact his dying Cancer patient’s son facing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Magnolia” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a profound message about loss which would resonate with everyone. A powerful portrait of individuals affected by loss causing trauma, it’s a strong reminder of an actor with charisma whose movies have become iconic classics in Cinema.
3. Almost Famous
Rock bands are great musicians whose melodies have always inspired me. I recall with nostalgia memories of forming a love for rock music in a past era. A crucial part of my childhood, listening to rock music composed by famous bands always made me feel understood. As someone treasuring rock music composed by bands that are famous, I adored “Almost Famous”. Released in 2000, Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s movie captured a teenager touring with a rock band that’s famous. In the most comical role of his career, Hoffman embodies a famous music producer with an ear for composing melodies people love to hear. Hoffman has spent most of his career playing serious characters in intense dramas. With “Almost Famous”, however, the actor showcased an aptitude for comedy audiences hadn’t seen before. For instance, the scene in which Lester gives William advice about how to pursue success in the rock music industry composing melodies people love to hear is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Almost Famous” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about fame which would resonate with everyone. As strong as William’s love for rock bands that are famous, it’s a riveting reminder of a courageous actor that made movies audiences consider to be precious.
4. Capote
Writing is an activity that I have always enjoyed doing. As far as I can remember, I have always wanted to become a famous writer. At an early age, I developed lifelong hobbies for writing words written on a page. During childhood, I developed passions for writing about the art of filmmaking. As someone that has always treasured the activity of writing shaping my identity, I adored “Capote”. Released in 2005, Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s movie celebrated the legacy of the legendary writer Truman Capote. In the most literary role of his career, Hoffman embodied a writer that carrying a burden to bear. Hoffman is known for playing strong characters with talkative personalities. With “Capote”, however, the actor showcased rare subtlety audiences hadn’t seen before. It isn’t easy to embody a renowned writer in American history, but Hoffman succeeded immensely. For instance, the scene in which Capote laments about not being able to prevent the horrifying murders causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Capote” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about value of writing which would resonate with everyone. As precious as books published by Truman Capote, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that built a legacy producing movies audiences love dearly.
5. Moneyball
Baseball is a fascinating game that I was once fond of playing. I recall heartwarming memories of my love for playing baseball. During my childhood, I enjoyed playing the game with kids in my neighbourhood. I remember joining my school’s baseball team with dreams of becoming a famous sports player. As someone treasuring baseball I love to recall, I adored “Moneyball”. Released in 2011, Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s movie offered a powerful tribute to the game of baseball. In the most authoritative role of his career, Hoffman embodies a baseball coach driven to prepare players for a game. Hoffman has always been an actor with a strong screen presence, and his strengths are evident in “Moneyball”. Working alongside Brad Pitt who is also excellent, Hoffman honoured the game of baseball. For instance, the scene in which Art Howe seeks to prepare baseball players for a game is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Moneyball” a commemorated masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about baseball, it tackles universal themes of identity which everyone would relate to. Viewers don’t need to be fans of baseball to appreciate it. A breathtaking tribute towards the game of baseball, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that manufactured commemorated movies which are always easy to recall.
6. Boogie Nights
Pornography is a provocative subject rarely depicted in movies with respect. Hollywood has often avoided the lives of adult actors that are misunderstood. In an industry that has often avoided depicting pornographic actors facing fights, it’s worth praising “Boogie Nights”. Released in 1997, Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s movie captured the complexity of the pornographic industry. In the most courageous role of his career, Hoffman embodied an adult actor carrying a heavy burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone playing a provocative character. Hoffman showcased bravery by tackling a sensitive subject respectfully. A powerful portrait of hardships that pornographic actors face, it’s a profound reminder of an actor that has always made memorable movies which audiences embrace.
7. Doubt
Phillip Seymour Hoffman always excelled at playing characters facing conflicted emotion. Hoffman built an image for being an actor that thrived at playing characters facing emotional damage. Hoffman’s strength for playing complex characters facing doubt is evident in his movie “Doubt”. In the most thoughtful role of his career, Hoffman embodies a priest facing religious doubt that becomes a burden to bear. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to showcase his talent for playing conflicted characters facing tragedy. Working alongside Amy Adams who is also amazing, Hoffman created a religious priest that’s compelling. A disturbing depiction of the dangers experienced by nuns that are devout, it’s a dazzling reminder of an actor that made unforgettable movies which deserve to be talked about without a doubt.
8. Synecdoche, New York
Broadway actors fascinate my father today. At an early age, I formed bonds with a father that loved seeing actors perform on stage. He marvelled at the way directors created a stage play. As someone treasuring a father that adored Broadway in New York, I admired “Synecdoche, New York”. Released in 2008, Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s movie depicted a theatre director. In the most sad role of his career, Hoffman embodies a director struggling creating a play which causes despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase wisdom he hadn’t shown before. Working alongside Michelle Williams who is also amazing, Hoffman created a theatre director that’s compelling. A beautiful portrait of Broadway actors creating a stage play, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor whose movies deserve to be celebrated today.
9. Scent of a Woman
Blindness is a sensitive condition that’s rarely depicted in movies with respect. A tragic subject, blindness is seldom depicted in movies in ways which are realistic. In an industry that has often avoided depicting blind people facing destruction, it’s worth praising “Scent of a Woman”. Released in 1992, Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s movie depicted hardships blind veterans go through. In the role that launched his career, Hoffman embodied a college student encountering a blind veteran facing despair. Hoffman showcased his aptitude for comedy in one of his first roles. Working alongside Al Pacino who is also amazing, Hoffman created a portrait of blindness that’s compelling. As strong as Charlie’s desire to care for a colonel that’s blind, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor that made one-of-a-kind movies leaving a lasting legacy behind.
10. Twister
Phillip Seymour Hoffman didn’t always make great movies earning recognition. While most movies the actor made were appreciated, a few left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Twister” falls into the latter category. Released in 1996, Jan De Bont’s movie was a forgettable blockbuster. In the most shallow role of his career, Hoffman embodies a technician with a love for chasing tornadoes that cause despair. Hoffman brought humour to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Twister” is a flawed movie, it honoured Hoffman’s enduring legacy. As powerful as a tornado, it’s a fantastic reminder of an actor that built an iconic legacy whose timeless movies I will forever treasure for inspiring me to follow my dreams of film criticism several years after his tragic death caused the world to face sorrow.
The Film Buff 