Since I'm praising one actor this afternoon, I suppose it's only fair to balance that with criticizing another - and why not take on a favorite of so many other actors while I'm at it! As I mentioned below I watched Cold Mountain last week and was reminded of one of the things in life that flumoxes me - why so many people who work in the arts rhapsodize at length about Philip Seymour Hoffman. It's not that I think he's a poor actor. And it's not that he hasn't been great (he was excellent in Punch-Drunk Love and Happiness, and very good in Boogie Nights). My problem with him, especially in the last 5 years or so, is that I he always seems so obviously to be acting. Now there's a time and place for that. And, yes, he throws in some little moves and such that I'm sure other actors adore. But to me it's far too often the case that I feel like I'm watching Philip Seymour Hoffman play the character I see before me, instead of just watching the character. And I find that irritating - no matter how interesting it might be from a technical standpoint.
Posted by armand at November 22, 2004 05:21 PM | TrackBack | Posted to Movies