My favorite Philip Seymour Hoffman films
Keep in mind, I have not seen every film Hoffman has done. So don't be like, "WHAT!! Where is Capote and Boogie Nights, bla, blah, blah." I haven't seen them yet. Ease off.
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- DirectorAnthony MinghellaStarsMatt DamonGwyneth PaltrowJude LawIn late 1950s New York, a young underachiever named Tom Ripley is sent to Italy to retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, a rich and spoiled millionaire playboy. But when the errand fails, Ripley takes extreme measures.The Talented Mr. Ripley might be the first film I ever saw Hoffman in. At least it's the first film that I started to realize who he was. I'm sure I saw him in Twister first, but it wasn't something that stood out.
Here, he stands out in a star-studded cast that includes Jude Law, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett and Gwyneth Paltrow. After seeing Ripley, he was an actor I was acutely aware of.
Hoffman plays Jude Law's preppy best friend that is the first to become suspicious of Tom Ripley. - DirectorSidney LumetStarsPhilip Seymour HoffmanEthan HawkeAlbert FinneyWhen two brothers organize the robbery of their parents' jewelry store the job goes horribly wrong, triggering a series of events that sends them, their father and one brother's wife barreling towards a shattering climax.Sometimes life imitates art. Hoffman plays a heroin junkie in legendary director Sidney Lumet's final film. A film he directed at the age of 82.
Hard up for cash to fuel his habit, Hoffman convinces his brother (Ethan Hawke) to pull off a jewel heist. It should be easy, after all, the store is owned by the boys' parents. Things don't quite go according to plan.
An underrated film and a great Hoffman performance. - DirectorTamara JenkinsStarsLaura LinneyPhilip Seymour HoffmanPhilip BoscoA sister and brother face the realities of familial responsibility as they begin to care for their ailing father.Hoffman and Laura Linney play siblings who must decide what to do with their father as he reaches the end of his life. Hoffman is cynical about the world and disappointed with how his life has turned out.
Dealing with his father's affairs depresses him even more. A strong, conflicted performance by Hoffman. - DirectorJohn Patrick ShanleyStarsMeryl StreepPhilip Seymour HoffmanAmy AdamsA Catholic school principal questions a priest's ambiguous relationship with a troubled young student.Hoffman plays a priest who is accused of sexually assaulting an alter boy. Another strong cast that includes Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Viola Davis.
Some of the best scenes come from Streep and Hoffman going at it toe-to-toe. - DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsJoaquin PhoenixPhilip Seymour HoffmanAmy AdamsA Naval veteran arrives home from war unsettled and uncertain of his future - until he is tantalized by the Cause and its charismatic leader.Hoffman plays the charismatic leader of a new religious group or cult, depending on how you look at it.
Hoffman gives one of the more powerhouse performances of his career. - DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsTom CruiseJason RobardsJulianne MooreAn epic mosaic of interrelated characters in search of love, forgiveness and meaning in the San Fernando Valley.Hoffman gives a heartfelt performance as a nurse caring for a dying man. He adds perspective to a profession that can often be difficult, but taken for granted.
- DirectorTodd SolondzStarsJane AdamsJon LovitzPhilip Seymour HoffmanThe lives of several individuals intertwine as they go about their lives in their own unique ways, engaging in acts which society as a whole might find disturbing in a desperate search for human connection.And oddball comedy that isn't for everybody. Hoffman plays a lonely perv that gets off by making obscene phone calls. His performance is daring and completely fearless. One of the first films that showed off his depth as an actor.
- DirectorFrancis LawrenceStarsJennifer LawrenceJosh HutchersonLiam HemsworthKatniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem.A rare villainous role for Hoffman. Hoffman plays the pivotal role of Plutarch Heavensbee, a new game designer who is highly confident he can control Katniss Everdeen's fate.
One of his final roles. - DirectorCameron CroweStarsBilly CrudupPatrick FugitKate HudsonA high-school boy in the early 1970s is given the chance to write a story for Rolling Stone magazine about an up-and-coming rock band as he accompanies them on their concert tour.A small, but pivotal role as a rock critic forewarning the future of Rock & Roll.
- DirectorJoel CoenEthan CoenStarsJeff BridgesJohn GoodmanJulianne MooreJeff "The Dude" Lebowski, mistaken for a millionaire of the same name, seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help get it.One of my favorite films of all time, but Hoffman's role is rather small. He plays the smug assistant to the real Mr. Lebowski. His stuffy personality opposite the Dude's laid back lifestyle was ripe for laughter.
- DirectorGeorge ClooneyStarsPaul GiamattiGeorge ClooneyPhilip Seymour HoffmanAn idealistic staffer for a new presidential candidate gets a crash course on dirty politics during his stint on the campaign trail.Hoffman plays a campaign manager in this political thriller. His performance encompasses all that is wrong with politics and politicians in general.
- DirectorSpike LeeStarsEdward NortonBarry PepperPhilip Seymour HoffmanCornered by the DEA, convicted New York drug dealer Montgomery Brogan reevaluates his life in the 24 remaining hours before facing a seven-year jail term.Hoffman's plays Ed Norton's straight-laced best friend who hit the town on the eve before Norton heads to prison. Hoffman is an innocent teacher obsessed with his student.
This is the kind of character Hoffman excelled at. Some would say he was getting typecast for a while before breaking out of it. - DirectorPaul Thomas AndersonStarsPhilip Baker HallJohn C. ReillyGwyneth PaltrowProfessional gambler Sydney teaches John the tricks of the trade. John does well until he falls for cocktail waitress Clementine.Hoffman appears in a small, but memorable role as a cocky craps player in Paul Thomas Anderson's debut film. Hoffman would later appear in 5 more Anderson films ( Boogie Nights, Magnolia, Punch-Drunk Love and The Master).
- DirectorBennett MillerStarsBrad PittRobin WrightJonah HillOakland A's general manager Billy Beane's successful attempt to assemble a baseball team on a lean budget by employing computer-generated analysis to acquire new players.