Indelible. It is the single word that best describes Philip Seymour Hoffman's career. When news broke of Hoffman's death and as details have become public knowledge, reactions from both Hoffman's friends and family and those who knew nothing more of the man than what he gave them through the portrayals of his vasting characters have been the same: overwhelming sadness.
Finding five really great characters Hoffman has epitomized is not hard. Narrowing it down to five is the difficult task this post is attempting. I should note before listing my top five performances from Philip Seymour Hoffman, I have not been able to view every movie he has ever starred in. The only movie I believe might be included in this list had I yet seen it would be The Master, but until that and other of his films have been viewed this will be the difinitive tally of my favorite five characters Hoffman has left us with.
We are going to start of with two honorable mentions, because while I was able to narrow it down to the five best (in my opinion), these two were good enough that I couldn't write up a post about Hoffman and not give them their proper due.
Honorable Mentions:
25th Hour
Jacob Elinsky
Equal parts vile and woeful, Hoffman's performance as a high school teacher who is crushing on one of his students makes you nearly pity the situation he find himself in. Few actors could bring about that kind of emotional reaction for a potential sexual predator.
Mission: Impossible III
Owen Davian
He is hands down the best villain in the entire series, which might not be saying much considering we are talking about the Mission: Impossible franchise. However, every scene Hoffman is in he is practically commanding us to watch him, despite what is going on in the rest of the scene.
Top 5 Hoffman Characters:
5: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead
Andy Hanson
Having already won an Oscar and starred in a big budget action movie, Hoffman still maintained and improved his craft by finding the best people to work with. This led him to starring alongside Albert Finney in Sidney Lumet's final film.
4. Doubt
Father Brendan Flynn
The ambiguity brought about by the title phrase is made even more powerful from Hoffman's turn as a Catholic priest accused of improper actions with an altar boy.
3. Almost Famous
Lester Bangs
I don't know anything about real-life music journalist Lester Bangs, but what I do know is Hoffman brilliantly delivers every line as the wise sage who bestows his world-weary understanding on the 15-year-old protagonist of Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiograhical rock comedy-drama.
2. Capote
Truman Capote
Winning an Oscar for a role will most likely result in landing you on a top something list when going through a person's filmography, and for Hoffman, leaving off his titular award-winning performance as Truman Capote is foolish.
1. Boogie Nights
Scotty J.
In a gritty look at the Golden Age of the adult film industry that stars Hollywood pros like Burt Reynolds, Mark Whalburg, Julianne Moore, Don Cheadle, William H. Macy, and a frequently naked Heather Graham, it is Philip Seymour Hoffman who will be most remembered.