Movies Yes, He Was Actually That Good

[Streeter]

Can't compare him to DDl, Bale, Or Oldman PSH wasnt a lead they are . Hes a supporting actor and one of the bestcever at it. But honestly hes not even the best Actor named Hoffman ....... that Dustin.

 

[Madmick]

Well I definitely like Hoffman for sure. Tbh it would be hard to pick a clear #1.. but names like Edward Norton and Christian Bale would be on my list as well as some other names.

Christian Bale I can see. Edward Norton, as much as I like him, I don't think he is a serious candidate.

To me Hoffman is a great character guy who’s had some really great cameo or supporting roles.. similar to guys like Tim Blake Nelson or William H Macy. Hoffman wasn’t typically asked to carry entire films tho like Bale and Norton and some others.

Sure, that's the thing about him, Hoffman wasn't just an incredible leading man, he was also one of the greatest character actors of his generation.

There are a precious few actors who are the leading man nearly every time they go out. That doesn't necessarily mean they are great actors; just that they have screen presence, and generally the looks/physique so the audience is always willing to abide them as the "main character". Charlton Heston is the classic example. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is another.

Unlike Tim Blake Nelson, though, for example, Hoffman also carried movies as the leading guy including some that saw wide releases (or was the top supporting actor who had almost as much screentime as the actor billed with the lead). Capote; The Master; Doubt; The Savages; Synecdoche, NY; Before the Devil Knows You're Dead; Owning Mahowny; Love Liza. Even Macy only really did this on the small screen.

So, in that respect, I think he's better compared to a contemporary like Paul Giamatti.

Interestingly my overall pick Gary Oldman would have a similar criticism against someone like DDL. Gary’s a chameleon but he hasnt had to carry as many films (if I’m not mistaken) as DDL.

But don’t get me wrong -I do love Hoffman. I can’t point out single bad performance by him even if it’s just a cameo. He’s a great actor for sure.

Gary Oldman is a Boomer, not Gen X. Same as Daniel Day Lewis. Not in the discussion, here.

He was incredible. Otherworldly. Greatest actor of my generation.

 

[AGGAMEMNON66]

Gary Oldman is a Boomer, not Gen X. Same as Daniel Day Lewis. Not in the discussion, here.

I was just bringing this up as a comparison in criticism as a way to show I wasn’t trying to show bias against Hoffman. Basically I’m admitting that my pick for greatest actor (Oldman) has some similar criticisms that Hoffman has.


I understand they are not the same generation. And I understand you weren’t comparing multiple generations.


In any event I’d find it difficult to single out one pick that stands all alone at the top. Some actors are really selective (like DDL) and don’t take as many chances (like a Tom Hardy for example). And taking chances can lead to some bad performances or good performances in bad films. It’s a difficult conversation that’s going to have a lot of nuance to it imo even if it’s narrowed down to ‘greatest of their generation’.

 

[Mock Artwork]

Probably one of the best supporting actors of all time. Guy legit owned every role he had. Dark City? Check. Twister? Capote? It’s just on and on.

 

[DaysOfThunder]

Excellent actor, but top 10 GOAT, hell no!

 

[Cajun]

Excellent actor, but top 10 GOAT, hell no!

2 posts a month since 05 and you came back to say this? Nice...

 

[Excelsior]

He killed it as one of two sympathetic characters in Boogie Nights.