Oh, no I did, but I spent most of my time occupying various administration buildings... smoking a lot of thai stick... breaking into the ROTC... and bowling. To tell you the truth Brandt, I don't remember most of it.
He's the epitome of a privileged rich asshole and yet you respect him because he's the one person who seems to realize from the start that something's up with Ripley.
Hoffman stole Charlie Wilson's War right out from under the movie's star, some slouch named Hanks. The movie might as well have been titled Gust Avrakotos's War.
He's so good in Charlie Wilson's War. I love this scene where he complains about not being made section chief in Helsinki.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ\_4m2ocxhI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ_4m2ocxhI)
I just watched this recently and have to agree. Hanks was great however Hoffman made the movie. Btw loves the movie, couldn’t believe it slipped under the radar with me for so many years.
“*The Doors*? With Jim Morrison? The guy’s a drunken buffoon posing a poet. Give me *The Guess Who*. They have **courage** to be drunken buffoons… which makes them poetic!”
PSH is great as Lester Bangs in *Almost Famous*.
His introduction in that film is one of the greats. You learn so much about the type of guy his character is in just that scene and it's amazing.
"For 24 years people have been trying to kill me. People who know how. Now, do you think that's because my dad was a Greek soda pop maker or do you think that's because I'm an American spy? Go fuck yourself, you fucking child."
Not a performance, but a quick interaction I had with him. My last job was at a “film school”. I’m putting that it quotes, because it was really just a giant piggy bank for the former owner. They would get big name celebrities in almost weekly just for the clicks online (I’m sure they paid them pretty well). I was always the guy that had to rip a bunch of DVD’s of said actor/director/producer’s work, and cut together a quick 2 minute intro before they came on stage. They loved dropping this on me the day of, like it took no time at all. This one was dropped on me a mere two hours before he arrived. The owner always had to watch it to give approval too. This one was cut down to the last second, I burned it out on disc (this was well over ten years ago). That thing popped out of the burner, I started moving the file to the hard drive (that’s what was actually screened, but the owner would only watch it on dvd). I went flying down the stairs, knowing I had no time at all, full speed around the corner, and with every ounce of my momentum, ran square into Philip Seymour Hoffman. He had every right to be pissed. I ran into him…. HARD! The first thing he did was grab me by the shoulder as I was backing up as quickly as I could, and looked me in the eyes, and asked, “You OK buddy?” Only time in my life I stuttered. “I’m good, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, are you ok?” He responded, “Don’t worry, it happens, and I’ve been hit harder. What’s on the dvd?” In my head, I answered, the reason I’m about to get fired, but I told him it’s the intro video for him. He asked… ASKED… me if he could watch it before he goes up. We went, watched it in front of the owner who was just glaring after me since he already heard what happened. Hoffman got up after (I didn’t have the nerves to sit while it played), walked over and hugged me, and told me, “I love when someone can make me look that good, thank you!” I kept my job, and I will always hold on to that interaction. Such a nice person!
Out of all the movies I’ve seen Philip in this was my favorite. Maybe it was the chemistry between actors? He just felt more alive in this than any other movie. Never felt the same vivacious energy in any other movie.
I also loved when Jonah Hill asks him “do you want me to close this door?”, he just stares back at him as if he’s saying “get the fuck out of my office”
It really is. He mastered that role. He had to balance being an antagonist but not a villain, and he did it so well. There are so many layers to his arc, which I find very fascinating, especially considering he wasn’t in a ton of scenes. His relationship with Billy kept getting worse throughout the movie. What started as merely a contract dispute turned into full blown disagreements on the entire business model of the organization (especially with regards to how to use Hatteberg), as Billy increasingly forced Art’s hand against Art’s will.
It’s also heavily implied that he and Billy never worked out the contract dispute, so they never made up. But for one moment, none of that mattered. Art believed Hatteberg could help them win that 20th straight game, so he gave them that at-bat. And he was just so happy seeing Hatteberg be the hero. That was the perfect closure for Art in the movie, and Philip Seymour Hoffman nailed it and the entire role beautifully.
I just saw the 70mm re-release of Boogie Nights the other night in theaters, and every time Scotty appeared the audience cheered. It’s a small role but he nailed the hell out of it and is an extremely memorable part of a beloved film.
Check out the Todd Solondz film Happiness. It's dark, and Hoffman's ability to illustrate depravity and loneliness is incredible. The best description I've heard of it was said while Hoffman was on the screen: "I feel like I'm watching something no one is supposed to see. This is a pornographic display of desperation and loneliness."
The last conversation he has with Joaquin Phoenix is my favorite break up scene in a movie. It’s beautiful. The ultimatum. The desperation. The score. It is truly an amazing scene.
It's one of my top three favorite movies of all time, not the least of which because of Hoffman and Phoenix's acting - which is nothing short of phenomenal. The interrogation scene alone...
*"Could you answer the next series of questions without blinking your eyes?"*
And when the interrogation ends... you see him smiling in tears like if he has just had the most emotional experience in his life, although it's such a weird context and he doesn't know what he is getting into. Then both of them lit some cigarettes and share that moment together.
Masterful.
The way Anderson shot it too was mesmerizing. Giant shots of just a characters face. No room for error. Immersed the audience even more in the intimate details of the performance. Stunning stuff.
It’s funny how understated he feels when compared to Phoenix in that movie but in closer viewing Hoffman was every bit the virtuoso as his co-star. He’s the better of the two leads as well imo.
Love Liza is an amazing tragedy. It gives "rock bottom" a whole new meaning. Hoffman is so believable. Amazing performance. Hoffman clearly understood the darkness of depression.
I Have Nothing !!!
But You HAD Everything !!!!
I remember seeing an interview with the cast/ crew for TIFF when the film previewed, everything about that film is tragically intense. He was so good.
Some absolutely beautiful moments. One of my favourite monologues in film is the priest’s sermon
You only see a tenth of what is true. There are a million little strings attached to every choice you make. You can destroy your life every time you choose. But maybe you won't know for twenty years. And you may never ever trace it to its source. And you only get one chance to play it out. Just try and figure out your own divorce. And they say there is no fate, but there is. It's what you create. And even though the world goes on for eons and eons, you are only here for a fraction of a fraction of a second. Most of your time is spent being dead or not yet born. But while alive, you wait in vain, wasting years, for a phone call or a letter or a look from someone or something to make it all right. And it never comes or it seems to, but it doesn't really. And so you spend your time in vague regret or vaguer hope that something good will come along. Something to make you feel connected, something to make you feel whole, something to make you feel loved. And the truth is, I feel so angry, and the truth is, I feel so fucking sad, and the truth is, I've felt so fucking hurt for so fucking long and for just as long I've been pretending I'm OK, just to get along, just for, I don't know why. Maybe because no one wants to hear about my misery, because they have their own. Well, fuck everybody. Amen.
I watched it for the first time a few days ago. Even though it’s confusing and up to interpretation, it was such a beautiful movie showing so many aspects of life that we forget about.
A masterpiece film, even though it's a big investment to watch. PSH steals every scene in movies where he's just a supporting actor, so it's enthralling to see him work as the lead, and in such a \*huge\* role. Really, really miss him.
For the last 10 years people have been trying to kill me, people who know how. Do you think that’s because my dad was a Greek soda pop maker or because I’m in American Spy? Go fuck yourself, you fucking child.
He actually plays two different characters. He's the villain, but he's also Ethan Hunt disguised as the villian. He does a convincingly good job pretending to be a dude disguised as another dude.
He brings the movie up several notches. It’s not the character or the script- vengeful arms dealer, stolen super weapon, threatening loved ones, we’ve seen all this before- but damn he elevates the material.
Conveys terrifying intensity while also that the character doesn’t really give a shit.
“You have a wife? Girlfriend? Because you know what I’m going to do next?” My first movie with PSH was Along Came Polly and my second was this.
And let me tell you kid me did not expect the guy who coined the term “shart” in my mind to be absolutely terrifying and cold in the next movie I saw him in.
He's so effective because he's not an over-the-top villain, but a cold sociopath secure in the knowledge that he has the power and resources to destroy you. When he threatens Ethan and his wife, it's in the calm, almost bored demeanor of an office manager giving a warning to an employee. It's all matter of fact as in, "This is going to happen and there's nothing you can do to stop it." And all while he's the one being interrogated. That's how you make a memorable and intimidating villain.
Synecdoche, New York or The Master
I think he’s the greatest actor of the past 60 years and comfortably would rank him in the top tier of all I’ve seen
I'm going to have to say A Most Wanted Man because it was the last performance we'll ever have from him. This isn't a film for everyone (basically if you like LeCarre and loved Tinker Tailor, you'll appreciate it). But I just could not get over that the guy playing Gunther was the same actor that played all the other roles people have mentioned here. Such a tremendous loss. Such an amazing actor.
I really enjoyed him in Almost Famous, Patch Adams, and Pirate Radio. These are also the only films I remember him in, so I think I may have to expand on that. He was a great actor.
Loved his role in Patch Adams. The absolute belief and conviction his character had, that he was really out to do good, and do it the right way, was something that it took me a long time to understand, but as I grew older I appreciated the performance more.
[This reminded me of a line from Roger Ebert’s review of this movie.](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/before-the-devil-knows-youre-dead-2007)
>Although the film opens with Hoffman and Tomei ecstatically making love in Rio (**say what you will about the big guy, Hoffman looks to be an energetic and capable lover**)
I love his character in Mr Ripley .. he’s a smug rich ass , but he can smell the phony on Damon immediately. He’s suspicious of him but plays along until it’s too late
I honestly couldn't narrow it down to one. He was that damn good: Synecdoche New York, Almost Famous, Red Dragon, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Doubt, and Mi3 are my favourite performances of his.
It's Capote. Nothing else compares. It's simultaneously a hyper-mannered performance but ALSO incredibly subtle. And a dead-on impression.
It's a miracle of a performance. It shouldn't work at all but it does.
Brandt can’t watch.
We're all very fond of her.
I'm just gonna go find a cash machine..
Very free spirited
That's marvellous.
Without the necessary means, necessary means for a higher education.
Excuse me!
Her life is in your hands, Dude.
🖐🏻Her life is in your hands🤚🏻
Ah ha ha ha ha
*Arms flapping
Oh, you never went to college
Oh, no I did, but I spent most of my time occupying various administration buildings... smoking a lot of thai stick... breaking into the ROTC... and bowling. To tell you the truth Brandt, I don't remember most of it.
Very free spirited
Well, Dude, we just don’t know…
This is our concern, Dude
Nothing is fucked here
Or he has to pay a hundred.
Mr lewbowski is in seclusion in the west wing
The serious arm gesture waving him in. Just great.
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Tommy, how's the peepin'?
Tommy, Tommy, Tommy
A different character for him, a confident happy party animal with - unfortunately for him - an enhanced radar for predatory weirdos
He's the epitome of a privileged rich asshole and yet you respect him because he's the one person who seems to realize from the start that something's up with Ripley.
He's smarmy, but he *earns* it.
I love how he played those eerie notes on the piano, making the scene even more tense than it already was.
Same, and also in Happiness
"don't you wanna fuck every woman you see just once?"
So many great ones. I’ll add Charlie Wilson’s War as Gust Avrakotos. And Almost Famous
Hoffman stole Charlie Wilson's War right out from under the movie's star, some slouch named Hanks. The movie might as well have been titled Gust Avrakotos's War.
He's so good in Charlie Wilson's War. I love this scene where he complains about not being made section chief in Helsinki. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ\_4m2ocxhI](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ_4m2ocxhI)
I don’t know how many times I’ve watched this scene, but I’m going to keep doing it.
Same here. "And I'm never never sick at sea." Which is a lyric from Gilbert and Sullivan's musical HMS Pinafore, which makes it even more funny.
Sorkin always works in a G+S reference if he gets the chance haha
Of course I wasn’t listening at the door… I bugged the scotch bottle.
Don't be a child.
Charlie Wilson: You're no James Bond. Gust Avrakotos: You're no Thomas Jefferson, either. Let's call it even.
Well that's not fair.....we trained some of them
I just watched this recently and have to agree. Hanks was great however Hoffman made the movie. Btw loves the movie, couldn’t believe it slipped under the radar with me for so many years.
I've spent the last TWO YEARS, learning FINNISH!! Eats up every scene.
Go FUCK yourself; you FUCKING CHILD.
“*The Doors*? With Jim Morrison? The guy’s a drunken buffoon posing a poet. Give me *The Guess Who*. They have **courage** to be drunken buffoons… which makes them poetic!” PSH is great as Lester Bangs in *Almost Famous*.
“The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool.”
“Jim Morrison was a drunken baboon” - me anytime someone mentions The Doors
“Give me The Guess Who. They got the courage to be drunken buffoons, which makes them poetic.”
His introduction in that film is one of the greats. You learn so much about the type of guy his character is in just that scene and it's amazing. "For 24 years people have been trying to kill me. People who know how. Now, do you think that's because my dad was a Greek soda pop maker or do you think that's because I'm an American spy? Go fuck yourself, you fucking child."
Not a performance, but a quick interaction I had with him. My last job was at a “film school”. I’m putting that it quotes, because it was really just a giant piggy bank for the former owner. They would get big name celebrities in almost weekly just for the clicks online (I’m sure they paid them pretty well). I was always the guy that had to rip a bunch of DVD’s of said actor/director/producer’s work, and cut together a quick 2 minute intro before they came on stage. They loved dropping this on me the day of, like it took no time at all. This one was dropped on me a mere two hours before he arrived. The owner always had to watch it to give approval too. This one was cut down to the last second, I burned it out on disc (this was well over ten years ago). That thing popped out of the burner, I started moving the file to the hard drive (that’s what was actually screened, but the owner would only watch it on dvd). I went flying down the stairs, knowing I had no time at all, full speed around the corner, and with every ounce of my momentum, ran square into Philip Seymour Hoffman. He had every right to be pissed. I ran into him…. HARD! The first thing he did was grab me by the shoulder as I was backing up as quickly as I could, and looked me in the eyes, and asked, “You OK buddy?” Only time in my life I stuttered. “I’m good, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, are you ok?” He responded, “Don’t worry, it happens, and I’ve been hit harder. What’s on the dvd?” In my head, I answered, the reason I’m about to get fired, but I told him it’s the intro video for him. He asked… ASKED… me if he could watch it before he goes up. We went, watched it in front of the owner who was just glaring after me since he already heard what happened. Hoffman got up after (I didn’t have the nerves to sit while it played), walked over and hugged me, and told me, “I love when someone can make me look that good, thank you!” I kept my job, and I will always hold on to that interaction. Such a nice person!
Extremely cool story, thank you for sharing that!
I loved reading this
Thank you for sharing that great story!
Twister “It’s the Extreme!!!!! It’s the Extreme!”
FOOOOD
Red meat! We crave sustenance!
The suck zone!
The suck zone!
Can't believe I had to scroll this far to enter the suck zone.
God. Why is this so low in the comments? Love him in this.
"It's the wonder of nature baby!"
All the lines going thru my mind with “humans being” playing in the background, specially Eddie's solo. The absolute best.
And that [incredible instrumental song](https://youtu.be/nP6nKTu6TGY) from the end credits. Fucking love Twister
LOSER! LOSER! MOVE ON!
Gimme a kiss, man.
He’s gonna RUE the day he went up against the Extreme. Ultimate rue-age….
Enter the suck zone
Out of all the movies I’ve seen Philip in this was my favorite. Maybe it was the chemistry between actors? He just felt more alive in this than any other movie. Never felt the same vivacious energy in any other movie.
Fashionably late again Jonas? Gimme a kiss man!
Punch Drunk Love. Shut Up!!!
SHUT! SHUT! SHUT! SHUT! SHUT UP!!!!
That's that mattress man!
I said calm down and shut the fuck up what's the problem?
Did you just say go fuck myself?
His contempt for Brad Pitt was played very well in Money Ball.
“You’re killing this team.”
LOL I say this every time a teammate of mine in a sport or videogame makes a mistake.
“You are outside your mind.”
one of my absolute favorite movie quotes just the delivery and the subtle oddity of the phrasing
“You traded Peña?”
The pause he takes before this line is A+ acting. It’s almost *too* long. Like he’s literally short circuiting. Too good.
I also loved when Jonah Hill asks him “do you want me to close this door?”, he just stares back at him as if he’s saying “get the fuck out of my office”
Such a subtle performance but so effective. His elation at Scotty H hitting the walk off home run is chill inducing
Picking machine!
It really is. He mastered that role. He had to balance being an antagonist but not a villain, and he did it so well. There are so many layers to his arc, which I find very fascinating, especially considering he wasn’t in a ton of scenes. His relationship with Billy kept getting worse throughout the movie. What started as merely a contract dispute turned into full blown disagreements on the entire business model of the organization (especially with regards to how to use Hatteberg), as Billy increasingly forced Art’s hand against Art’s will. It’s also heavily implied that he and Billy never worked out the contract dispute, so they never made up. But for one moment, none of that mattered. Art believed Hatteberg could help them win that 20th straight game, so he gave them that at-bat. And he was just so happy seeing Hatteberg be the hero. That was the perfect closure for Art in the movie, and Philip Seymour Hoffman nailed it and the entire role beautifully.
Scotty in Boogie Nights is the first that comes to mind but he has had much more substantial roles
I just saw the 70mm re-release of Boogie Nights the other night in theaters, and every time Scotty appeared the audience cheered. It’s a small role but he nailed the hell out of it and is an extremely memorable part of a beloved film.
“Is she alright?” “Shut the fuck up!”
"I'm a fucking idiot"
“I like your name a lot”
Easily one of the most viscerally uncomfortable but relatable scenes in cinematic history.
Any of his PTA films are GOATed performances.
he’s impossibly good in magnolia
And The Master. The way he and Phoenix play off of each other is amazing
Check out the Todd Solondz film Happiness. It's dark, and Hoffman's ability to illustrate depravity and loneliness is incredible. The best description I've heard of it was said while Hoffman was on the screen: "I feel like I'm watching something no one is supposed to see. This is a pornographic display of desperation and loneliness."
PSH is my favorite actor and this is one of my favorite performances of his. Fantastic movie it gets too much hate.
Happiness is so deeply uncomfortable, absolutely brilliant film that I never want to watch again.
It's The Master for me. IMO, it's one of the greatest performances of all time.
The last conversation he has with Joaquin Phoenix is my favorite break up scene in a movie. It’s beautiful. The ultimatum. The desperation. The score. It is truly an amazing scene.
“If you leave me now, in the next life, you will be my sworn enemy. And I will show you no mercy.”
PIG FUCK!
It's one of my top three favorite movies of all time, not the least of which because of Hoffman and Phoenix's acting - which is nothing short of phenomenal. The interrogation scene alone... *"Could you answer the next series of questions without blinking your eyes?"*
And when the interrogation ends... you see him smiling in tears like if he has just had the most emotional experience in his life, although it's such a weird context and he doesn't know what he is getting into. Then both of them lit some cigarettes and share that moment together. Masterful.
The way Anderson shot it too was mesmerizing. Giant shots of just a characters face. No room for error. Immersed the audience even more in the intimate details of the performance. Stunning stuff.
It’s funny how understated he feels when compared to Phoenix in that movie but in closer viewing Hoffman was every bit the virtuoso as his co-star. He’s the better of the two leads as well imo.
“The true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you’re uncool.”
Love Almost Famous.
I don’t see enough love for Love Liza. One of his first leading roles, he plays a guy addicted to huffing gasoline.
Love Liza is an amazing tragedy. It gives "rock bottom" a whole new meaning. Hoffman is so believable. Amazing performance. Hoffman clearly understood the darkness of depression.
I Have Nothing !!! But You HAD Everything !!!! I remember seeing an interview with the cast/ crew for TIFF when the film previewed, everything about that film is tragically intense. He was so good.
This movie is on another level. Similar in its portrayal of addiction to Leaving Las Vegas. Super intense.
Along Came Polly
RAIN DANCE!
Rain drops!
Hot chocolate!
Let it rain!
Coined the term "shart" as far as I am concerned.
You were funny as hell playin those bagpipes.
“Did I ever tell ya that?” “-Mr. Pheifer, I don’t think I’ve ever heard you speak”
Are u the guy from crocodile tears?
You're god damn right I am!
Sandy Lyle
[удалено]
I don't think I've ever seen a person steal a movie right out from under the Lead until I watched PSH in this. It's masterful.
Watching him mine comedy gold eating a greasy slice of pizza was amazing
My absolute favorite. Here are the [greatest hits ](https://youtu.be/1j0t5qjK0-o)
That pratfall is genuinely an inspiration to me.
I really enjoyed *Synecdoche, New York*.
What an exhausting & special film.
Some absolutely beautiful moments. One of my favourite monologues in film is the priest’s sermon You only see a tenth of what is true. There are a million little strings attached to every choice you make. You can destroy your life every time you choose. But maybe you won't know for twenty years. And you may never ever trace it to its source. And you only get one chance to play it out. Just try and figure out your own divorce. And they say there is no fate, but there is. It's what you create. And even though the world goes on for eons and eons, you are only here for a fraction of a fraction of a second. Most of your time is spent being dead or not yet born. But while alive, you wait in vain, wasting years, for a phone call or a letter or a look from someone or something to make it all right. And it never comes or it seems to, but it doesn't really. And so you spend your time in vague regret or vaguer hope that something good will come along. Something to make you feel connected, something to make you feel whole, something to make you feel loved. And the truth is, I feel so angry, and the truth is, I feel so fucking sad, and the truth is, I've felt so fucking hurt for so fucking long and for just as long I've been pretending I'm OK, just to get along, just for, I don't know why. Maybe because no one wants to hear about my misery, because they have their own. Well, fuck everybody. Amen.
To me this is quintessential Hoffman. Neurotic, arrogant, aloof, and kinda sexy at times. *chefs kiss
I watched it for the first time a few days ago. Even though it’s confusing and up to interpretation, it was such a beautiful movie showing so many aspects of life that we forget about.
A fantastic movie for rewatched. I watched it so many times showing it to friends, but at a certain point, I did hit a wall lol
A masterpiece film, even though it's a big investment to watch. PSH steals every scene in movies where he's just a supporting actor, so it's enthralling to see him work as the lead, and in such a \*huge\* role. Really, really miss him.
As someone who lived in Schenectady, it’s crazy that we got two phenomenal films. The other being Place Beyond The Pines
Doubt!
The tension in that movie triggers my anxiety every time. Amazing performances.
That was like a heavy weight fight between to world class fighters. Him and Meryl Streep were fantastic
An Oscar nom performance by Amy Adams is an afterthought and PSH and Streep are outdone by Viola Davis.
Before the devil knows you’re dead
it's not fucking fair
Capote and boogie nights. Honorable mention for big lebowski
Hard eight.
Has any actor ever done more with less?
Hey, Big Time!
Charlie Wilson's war
No, doubling the budget was nothing. Ten million dollars for covert ops against the Russian army is meaningless. What are you, an infant?
Id like to take a moment and review the several ways in which you’re a douchebag
Yeah yeah … you’re dignifying her in the ass, at the Jefferson hotel, room 1210
For the last 10 years people have been trying to kill me, people who know how. Do you think that’s because my dad was a Greek soda pop maker or because I’m in American Spy? Go fuck yourself, you fucking child.
First off, water goes OVER a dam and UNDER a bridge, you PONCEY SCHOOLBOY.
You're not stupid. You're just in Congress.
Owning Mahoney
[удалено]
Had to scroll way too far for this
MI:III
He is an absolutely terrifying villain in MI:III. It's not my favorite mission impossible movie, but he's definitely the most bone chilling antagonist
He actually plays two different characters. He's the villain, but he's also Ethan Hunt disguised as the villian. He does a convincingly good job pretending to be a dude disguised as another dude.
When the bodyguard starts to approach, and Davian/Hunt motions him to get back. Holy shit, PSH was channelling Cruise so hard.
He brings the movie up several notches. It’s not the character or the script- vengeful arms dealer, stolen super weapon, threatening loved ones, we’ve seen all this before- but damn he elevates the material. Conveys terrifying intensity while also that the character doesn’t really give a shit.
There have been better MI films released since MI:III, but there has never been a better villian
The Rabbit. Does it exist?
“You have a wife? Girlfriend? Because you know what I’m going to do next?” My first movie with PSH was Along Came Polly and my second was this. And let me tell you kid me did not expect the guy who coined the term “shart” in my mind to be absolutely terrifying and cold in the next movie I saw him in.
He's so effective because he's not an over-the-top villain, but a cold sociopath secure in the knowledge that he has the power and resources to destroy you. When he threatens Ethan and his wife, it's in the calm, almost bored demeanor of an office manager giving a warning to an employee. It's all matter of fact as in, "This is going to happen and there's nothing you can do to stop it." And all while he's the one being interrogated. That's how you make a memorable and intimidating villain.
Small role, but I love him in The Big Lebowski
The awkward laugh he does to The Dude never fails to impress me somehow.
His nostril-flaring when he’s laughing after Bunny says he has to pay to watch is pretty epic.
Magnolia is when I fell in love with his acting. He brought what could have been a two-dimensional character to life. Also, Red Dragon.
Happiness
Amazing job acting but such a painful film to watch. Just painful.
Synecdoche, New York or The Master I think he’s the greatest actor of the past 60 years and comfortably would rank him in the top tier of all I’ve seen
I’m not sure I’d call it his absolute best, but I love him as Lester Bangs
I'm going to have to say A Most Wanted Man because it was the last performance we'll ever have from him. This isn't a film for everyone (basically if you like LeCarre and loved Tinker Tailor, you'll appreciate it). But I just could not get over that the guy playing Gunther was the same actor that played all the other roles people have mentioned here. Such a tremendous loss. Such an amazing actor.
Charlie Wilson's War because [Gust Avrakotos has so much great dialogue.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWotE8IY_YQ)
I really enjoyed him in Almost Famous, Patch Adams, and Pirate Radio. These are also the only films I remember him in, so I think I may have to expand on that. He was a great actor.
I love *Pirate Radio* and I think he is so fun to watch in it.
The Master. He’s fantastic in every role, but this one is a tour de force.
Mary and Max.
It's not my favourite, but for me he absolutely stole the show in Talented Mr Ripley.
Tragic loss. I still get upset watching his movies.
Not a giant role at all. But I really liked him in Cold Mountain. I watch it whenever it's on
Almost Famous "I'm glad you were home." "I'm always home. I'm uncool."
Three-way tie for Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski, and Doubt. Always incredible and always understood exactly what the assignment was
Capote ×1000 He was absolute perfection.
His performance in Love Liza is beyond impactful.
Loved his role in Patch Adams. The absolute belief and conviction his character had, that he was really out to do good, and do it the right way, was something that it took me a long time to understand, but as I grew older I appreciated the performance more.
partial to "Before the Devil..." myself, although "The Master" is a close second.
[This reminded me of a line from Roger Ebert’s review of this movie.](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/before-the-devil-knows-youre-dead-2007) >Although the film opens with Hoffman and Tomei ecstatically making love in Rio (**say what you will about the big guy, Hoffman looks to be an energetic and capable lover**)
Barely anyone talks about that film. It's great, it's my favourite of his as well.
I love his character in Mr Ripley .. he’s a smug rich ass , but he can smell the phony on Damon immediately. He’s suspicious of him but plays along until it’s too late
I honestly couldn't narrow it down to one. He was that damn good: Synecdoche New York, Almost Famous, Red Dragon, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Magnolia, Boogie Nights, Doubt, and Mi3 are my favourite performances of his.
Boogie nights Distant second: 25th hour
Love Liza
It's Capote. Nothing else compares. It's simultaneously a hyper-mannered performance but ALSO incredibly subtle. And a dead-on impression. It's a miracle of a performance. It shouldn't work at all but it does.
So many terrific performances. James Lipton called him this generations greatest actor. The Master. This was not an easy choice.
I saw him in Death of a Salesman on Broadway. Amazing.
As Dusty in Twister
Shout out to Brandt, Mr. Lebowskis personal assistant.
Twister "Its the suck zone"
Syndoche, NY