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. Magnolia
It’s always challenging to face the loss of a loved one. Several years ago, my family’s life hit a crushing low when our great housekeeper was killed causing sorrow. Stabbed to death in the shower, she became a victim of a psychotic murder. Her devastating death left my family mourning. No matter how hard we tried, my family could never recover from the sad loss of a bold housekeeper that tragically died. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the trauma faced by people mourning the dark loss of loved ones as powerfully as “Magnolia”. Released in 1999, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s best movie captured the intertwining lives of individuals that are impacted by loss in America. In the greatest role of his career, Hoffman portrays a conflicted male nurse that struggles to cope with a crushing loss of loved ones causing despair. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Hoffman is known for playing goofy characters in comedies. With “Magnolia”, however, the actor took a huge step out of his comfort zone by playing a depressed male nurse. It gave the actor a rare chance to showcase strong emotional range he hadn’t shown in his career before. Working alongside Tom Cruise who is also amazing, Hoffman created a bold portrait of loss that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Phil witnessed Frank having an emotional breakdown on his father’s deathbed causing despair is one of the best moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Magnolia” Philip Seymour Hoffman’s best movie is its message. It delivers a bold message about loss which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 30 years after the release of a classic film about people affected by loss causing trauma, it’s a bold reminder of an actor with charisma that attracts audiences towards Cinema.
2. Almost Famous
Rock bands are great musicians whose big melodies have always inspired me. I recall with nostalgia fond memories of forming a big love for rock music in a past era. A crucial part of childhood growing up, listening to rock music that are composed by famous bands always made me feel very understood. As someone treasuring the rock music composed by big 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 crafting 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 a flair 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 in 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 great actor that made movies viewers consider to be extremely precious.
3. 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 commonly dearly.
4. The Master
Psychologists are powerful figures that shaped my personality. When I was diagnosed with severe anxiety, I began seeing a psychologist providing valuable therapy. Through his valuable words of wisdom, I was able to overcome challenges of the education system. As someone treasuring fond memories of a therapist that I treasure, I appreciated “The Master”. Released in 2012, Philip Seymour Hoffman’s movie captured an aimless drifter seeking therapy. In the most thought-provoking role of his career, Hoffman portrayed the leader of a religious cult experiencing despair. Working alongside Joaquin Phoenix who is also amazing, Hoffman created a religious drama that’s engaging. For instance, the scene in which Lancaster Dodd engages in an intense interrogation asking Freddie a series of questions causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Master” a masterpiece is its universal appeal. Unlike most movies about religious cults, it tackles themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about alcoholism which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Freddie’s alcoholism, it’s a bold reminder of a commemorated actor that has manufactured commemorated movies throughout his long-lasting career which have always achieved immense worldwide stardom.
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 which everyone would relate to. A breathtaking tribute towards baseball, it’s a strong reminder of a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost abilities to commonly enthral.
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 commonly embrace.
7. The Ides of March
Stories about political scandals often make for engaging movies. Audiences have always loved watching movies about characters facing scandals that are painful. In 2011, Philip Seymour Hoffman captured the enduring appeal of scandals that cause people to march in his movie “The Ides of March”. In the most political role of his career, Hoffman portrayed a senator seeking to prepare for a big election causing despair. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his talent for playing strong leaders in positions of power. Working alongside George Clooney who is also amazing, Hoffman created a political drama that’s captivating. A powerful portrait of political scandals in America, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with charisma that has manufactured commemorated movies which always attract audiences towards Cinema.
8. 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 commonly behind.
9. 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 undeniably today.
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 immense sorrow.
The Film Buff 