Today is a strange day. On the one hand, there’s the world’s biggest stage being set for football, as Superbowl XLVIII kick-off is only a few hours away, a colossal event taking place in the New York Area. However, in that very same nook of this nation we have experienced an unthinkable loss.
Philip Seymour Hoffman passed away at his home at the age of 46 from what is appearing to be a heroin overdose. Given the actor’s stature in Hollywood and his genuine likability in almost any role he’s ever undertaken, the news hits hard. Undoubtedly, there are many a heavy heart today.
In an effort to steer the tone in a different direction, I’d like to take a few minutes to pay a light-hearted tribute to one of my personal favorite silver screen appearances that P.S.H. gave, a role that for me, in my young moviegoing career, began molding what would later become one of my many favorite actors out there. I don’t want to make people think that this isn’t a serious issue, especially considering the tragic nature of the way he died (if indeed is proven to be a simple drug overdose), but I find that sometimes the truth is difficult to stare right between the eyes. So I figured now would be a decent time to turn some frowns upside down, and take a look back at one particular performance that is incapable of leaving a frown on anyone’s face.
Hoffman obviously has been a man of many faces, taking on roles as committing as Truman Capote in well, Capote; as farcical as Dean Trumbell in Punch-Drunk Love; as plain enjoyable as Gust Avrakatos in Charlie Wilson’s War; and a whole host of others, a good many of which yours truly is yet to experience. Today I’d like to just highlight one of the roles that many might dismiss as not his greatest work, although it was the catalyst for me truly enjoying what he brought to film. His Dusty is a riot and makes Jan de Bont’s 1996 action-thriller Twister a great deal more entertaining to watch in light of its many flaws. This was also one of the very first movies I ever saw in theaters, so there is special attachment to this role for that reason alone.
There is no downplaying the present-day reality, but simply there’s nothing that can be done at this point. We might as well not deny ourselves the fact that despite his physical absence now, his spirit will absolutely never diminish. Especially when he is as addicting a personality as he is in this flick. So without further ado, let’s allow ourselves to have a few chuckles in celebration of this wonderful man:
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Photo credits: http://www.imdb.com
Thomas J 
That was a beautiful remembrance post on PSH. I couldn’t have said it better myself. I’m glad we both love his character as Dusty from Twister. Great Job!
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Hey Dustin, my apologies on overlooking your comment here!! Thanks so much, it hurt my heart very deeply to see him go. So I had to do something about it. Glad you appreciated it. Now I find myself with a lot of homework trying to catch up on all his work.
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He could do pretty much anything. Going to miss him.
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I’ll second that. A very sudden and terrible loss to not just the world of film, but to the world at large.
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This was such horrible news, he was an incredibly talented actor.
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It really is Zoe, I hate that this happened. Makes me sick actually. That might sound pretentious since I never would ever meet the man, but knowing we won’t be provided any more of his talent in the coming years is a matter I can’t reconcile. I don’t think any of us can.
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That is where the issue comes in. Never mind whether you knew him or not, what is important is that his talents were appreciated, and now they won’t be showcased as they were anymore 😦 What a pity!
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Loved the tribute man, sure did him justice. It is a shame what we lost him too, and the guy had so much more in the tank.
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Indeed he did man, this one’s a tough one to acknowledge really. Such a shame. Thanks for stopping by
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Great post. Great actor. You know, I really don’t remember Twister. You’ve made me want to watch it again. : )
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Thanks Mutant!! 🙂 That’s awesome, it’s not the greatest thing ever made obviously, but man it ranks up there as one of my favorite action films. The cast (read: Hoffman) was great here even though character development was nil. 😉
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Great tribute Tom. My favourite performance of his was in Mission Impossible 3. He was so scary
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Appreciate that Mikey, I saw M:I 3 a long while back but barely recall him in it, but I trust your opinion. Despite me not seeing his villainous side too often (i have to get to SOO many of his films now) I completely see him owning those types of roles. He’s so great. This is a tragic day really. 😦
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Great clips.. he will be missed!
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Indeed he will. It’s not fair he had to be taken from us. Still had so much left to get done. Robbed of a great talent once again.
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A deserving post for one of the most gifted actors this generation has seen. A light in the cinema of life has gone out.
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Yes indeed. Sad day. Made even worse by a spectacularly shitty Superbowl too. Good riddance to February 2, 2014.
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Lovely post, bro! You know my thoughts already but great to celebrate this collosal actor! Truly one of the very best! 😦
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Thanks Mark. It’s such a tough loss to comprehend I felt I had to take a more uplifting track. Crazy day.
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Great tribute, man. PSH was one of the great ones.
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Appreciate that man. Indeed he was. So much versatility. That’s the great thing about being an actor/performer. When you go, you’re never fully gone. I had to post this to cheer myself up a bit haha
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Yeah, we’ll have tons of his roles to remember him by.
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