So Mel Gibson walks into a bar ... No, c'mon guys, I'm kidding. Just trying to lighten the mood after the past two weeks. In honor of Halloween, I'd like to focus this week's column on the chameleon of our generation: Philip "I Want To" Seymour "Of You" Hoffman.
A month ago I saw Mr. Hoffman's latest film, "The Ides of March" (2011), which is full of enough great performances to conquer the list of Academy Award nominations in the coming months. Hoffman's portrayal of a veteran campaign manager for a Democratic presidential candidate may be the safest bet to lock up a Best Supporting Actor nomination come Oscar time. Do not count on him to win, however, because we all know how Hollywood likes to promote socialist beliefs and spread around the awards. Sharing is overrated, if you ask me.
Anyway, I had let "The Ides of March" and Hoffman's sharp performance slip into the back of my mind until this past Sunday. It's been a tough month with midterms and degree sheets to fill out and yucky Nor'easters that came three months too early. My girlfriend even made me see "Footloose" (2011) two weeks ago. Talk about yucky.
Then three days ago, one of my housemates referenced a line from a scene with Hoffman in "Charlie Wilson's War" (2007). So, instead of watching a commercial break during the Fox NFL Sunday halftime show, I muted the sound and loaded the movie clip on YouTube.
The scene is a three?minute verbal clash between thorny CIA operative Gust Avrakotos (Hoffman) and his boss, CIA Director of European Operations Henry Cravely (played by a smarmy John Slattery). The YouTube video is titled "Another Broken Window Scene." Aaron Sorkin co?wrote the script, so the clip is laced with clever witticisms and shrewd verbal jousting. This is the kind of scene that single?handedly can get an actor nominated for an Oscar. Hoffman's delivery makes his character funny, angry and controlled all at the same time.
In this regard, Gust Avrakotos - or Gus Avocado, as I have affectionately renamed him - is the quintessential Philip Seymour Hoffman character. He is a complex, rough?around?the?edges sidekick. Yes, Hoffman did win his Oscar for playing the lead role in "Capote" (2005), but other than a few exceptions, his filmography is full of sizzling supporting performances. Think of "Doubt" (2008), "The Savages" (2007) and "Almost Famous" (2000). Besides, who could forget Hoffman's basketball skills in "Along Came Polly" (2004)? Sandy Lyle can flat?out ball.
It was interesting to see Hoffman on?screen next to my professed man?crush, Ryan Gosling, in "The Ides of March." The two even square off in a few scenes, the best leading actor in recent years next to the best supporting actor of right now. Batman and Robin. But the leading actor versus supporting actor comparison also got me thinking about the limitations of Hoffman's appeal. He can squeeze a whole lot of verve into his shorter performances, but realistically, how many leading roles are out there for an overweight, pale actor on the wrong side of 40? He was great as Truman Capote, but I don't think there are too many more eccentric, chubby blond guys ready to be turned into dynamic cinematic characters. I don't say that to be mean - I think Hoffman has more ability than most of the leading men out there.
In fact, Hoffman's knack for picking smaller roles in good films instead of larger roles in bad films is a very underrated skill in Hollywood. He has carved out a nice niche for himself. So Happy Halloween to Mr. Hoffman, the man with a thousand identities.
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