Philip Seymour Hoffman - The Master
Tonight, the world is stunned and shock at the loss of Philip Seymour Hoffman. The actor was found dead in his apartment by Manhattan Police from a
suspected drug overdose. Continuing a year already heavy with celebrity death, Hoffman at aged just 46 has left a highly large career behind him that was filled with impressive roles and intelligent acting. To study his characters and films was not to just look at Hoffman, but to immerse yourself in the stories that he was portraying. The man, an icon in his career, won an Academy Award for his role as Truman Capote in the 2005 movie Capote.
But even before then, and especially after, Hoffman was known for his astute and chameleon changing roles. While his tone preferred the bitter and angry, he still cam
e onto the screen with this honest to god, powerful performance. He could play the villain but you might not know it, enthralled by his incredible and engaging elements. Playing a vast range of characters, from the comedic in Along Came Polly to the true horrifying with Happiness. More recently, he captured the turning role of Plutarch in the blockbuster The Hunger Games. Hoffman seemingly shaped and morph into this roles but also brought a touch of humanity, layering every character he met with emotive and realist responses.
Sometimes, it’s hard to sit and think that a man so full of talent has gone. How do you recognise him after death? Thinking on the last movie that I watched him in, I can’t help but be awed at his mesmerising performance…
Working alongside director Paul Thomas Anderson, a relationship previously explored with Magnolia and Boogie Nights, it seemed only fitting that another Oscar Nomination came Hoffman’s way as he busted out an outstanding achievement. Playing alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Amy Adams, Hoffman played cult leader Lancaster Dodd who attempts to bring enlighten to Phoenix’s Freddie. In this iconic movie, that was up for countless awards and sweeping with breath-taking cinematography and images, Hoffman will always be remembered for taking what looked like a good character and taking it darker.
Powerful isn’t a word that is thrown around often but here as Dodd, he is outstanding. The scene in which his schemes are called out is a pin-drop moment. As he gradually builds the rage and spits at a “non-believer,” it grabs you and sucks you in. But the more you progress into Dodd’s cult, the more like Freddie, you are swept up in the charismatic yet utterly terrifying. The interrogations that Dodd hands out and his seeming charm that pulled people in to his complex world; there was no other acting strength to carry it our other than Hoffman. Just watch the below processing scene and tell me that that isn’t the most outstanding performance in recent years.
Truly an iconic actor that took every, I urge you not to just look at The Master, but fondly look on Hoffman’s work. Take a glance at his small minor roles in movies such as Red Dragon and his fantastic achievements in Doubt and Almost Famous. Remember Boogie Nights or The Boat That Rocked and that funny basketball sequence in Along Came Polly. In fact, take one peak at his filmography and I bet you can’t find just one piece that stood out to you, chances are, you’ll find plenty.
Rest in Peace Philip Seymour Hoffman. All thoughts go to your family.