Philip Seymour Hoffman

When I learned the news of Philip Seymour Hoffman I was shocked and quite frankly speechless.  I personally never knew of his struggles with addiction but what the film community lost with his passing cannot be understated.  Philip Seymour Hoffman was an actor by every stretch of the word.  In an age where most actors are simply pretty faces in the endless cog of the studio marketing machines Hoffman was an artist.  I remember first seeing Hoffman in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Hard Eight and being captivated by his small but incredible performance.  Everything from roles in studio blockbusters like Twister or Mission Impossible III to more artistic endeavors like Owning Mahoney or Happiness, Philip Seymour Hoffman made every film he was in better.  His range was undeniable, reminding us that acting is an art form, something that almost feels lost today.  Rarely the leading man, Philip Seymour Hoffman should certainly be mentioned as one of the best actors of his generation, delivering enrapturing performance after enrapturing performance.  His importance and legacy as one of the few artists in American cinema cannot be understated, and I personally feel disheartened and unbelievable sorrow knowing that his untimely death only robs us from more of his brilliance.  I wish I could say more about the importance of this incredible actor but I still struggle to find the words to truly express my sorrow.

---