so psh is my favorite actor around. i've been saying it for years, and he's only recently been getting the acclaim he deserves. and it's still not enough.
i'm seeking suggestions as to what his best character has ever been. it's somewhat hard since he's had so many great minor characters and only a handful of leading parts, but try to put that issue aside and focus on which role was the most outstanding in terms of the context of the movie and how he brought his talent to that role.
without putting much thought into it, i would have to go w/ these as his top five roles:
1) george willis, jr. in scent of a woman - this is when i first discovered the greatness of this actor -when he shakes off george willis, sr.'s hand from his head, as senior is trying to give him some advice at the end of the movie when they're both on stage in front of the entire school; his condescending laughter every time he talks to charlie; his sweet-talking to the old plump teacher of his to distract her from his friends getting caught vandalizing the principal's car; i could go on and on.....
2) scotty j. in boogie nights - "i'm an idiot. a effin' idiot........."
i'm seeking suggestions as to what his best character has ever been. it's somewhat hard since he's had so many great minor characters and only a handful of leading parts, but try to put that issue aside and focus on which role was the most outstanding in terms of the context of the movie and how he brought his talent to that role.
without putting much thought into it, i would have to go w/ these as his top five roles:
1) george willis, jr. in scent of a woman - this is when i first discovered the greatness of this actor -when he shakes off george willis, sr.'s hand from his head, as senior is trying to give him some advice at the end of the movie when they're both on stage in front of the entire school; his condescending laughter every time he talks to charlie; his sweet-talking to the old plump teacher of his to distract her from his friends getting caught vandalizing the principal's car; i could go on and on.....
2) scotty j. in boogie nights - "i'm an idiot. a effin' idiot........."

3) freddie miles in the talented mr. ripley - his loyalty (dare i say attraction to) to jude law's character and perception of damon's character's mistruths were subtle and brilliant, as psh usually always is
4) lester bangs in almost famous - he made this already good movie just that much better
5) truman capote in capote - i thought this movie was slightly overrated, but the voice alone that psh did was unbelievable. i did not notice the obnoxiousness of the voice one single time after the first 5 minutes of the movie b/c he nailed it so well.
his roles in owning mahoney, magnolia, and punch-drunk love barely missed the cut....
the best movie he was in, in my humble opinion, was the big lebowski, but i did not think that that role was that impressive, although he did make me laugh a few times. especially when he was talking about bunny or reacting to something the dude or bunny said.
4) lester bangs in almost famous - he made this already good movie just that much better
5) truman capote in capote - i thought this movie was slightly overrated, but the voice alone that psh did was unbelievable. i did not notice the obnoxiousness of the voice one single time after the first 5 minutes of the movie b/c he nailed it so well.
his roles in owning mahoney, magnolia, and punch-drunk love barely missed the cut....
the best movie he was in, in my humble opinion, was the big lebowski, but i did not think that that role was that impressive, although he did make me laugh a few times. especially when he was talking about bunny or reacting to something the dude or bunny said.
12 comments:
I am voting for his role in The Talented Mr. Ripley...although if I remember correctly, he was pretty damn amazing in Happiness as well. I am a fellow NYU Theatre alumn, but obviously not doing QUITE as well professionally.
the fact that y'all are both alums of the same school makes me think thrice as highly of you as i already do, raia. i bow in your presence!
And there's George-- hiding in big Daddy's pocket.
I still have to go with Boogie Nights.
Utah
Best Performance - Boogie Nights
Best Movie - Punch-Drunk Love
i'm a huge fan of punch-drunk love as well. where have you been since 2002, p.t. anderson? apparently, 'there will be blood' is finished, but i haven't heard anything about it coming out yet:
http://imdb.com/title/tt0469494/
p.t. is the best american director around not named quentin tarentino.
Oooh...I liked him in Happiness as well. Such a sad character.
i haven't seen 'happiness.' sounds pretty good. looking forward to another psh role!
Um, Don't laugh, but I kinda liked him in Twister
Red Dragon - Flaming Wheelchair
Debate over.
walker- have you ever seen "love liza"? that's a different PSH for you.
georgie has not seen love liza but has been meaning to for years!
i just joined a facebook group called "i loved philip seymour hoffman before it was cool."
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