Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
#1Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:00am
Per Riedel today: PSH and Mike Nichols are planning a production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Personally, I'm more enticed by the idea of the great Linda Emond as Linda.
http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainment/theater/hoffman_sold_on_loman_9AyySeGGBpKg0MC0Ae0CpK
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#2Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:05amThat's a hundred twenty bucks I just saved myself.
#2Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:14am
There are very few actors I simply can't stand--three actually--but PSH is top of the list.
I know he's widely regarded as great, I know he won an Oscar (which I admit he deserved), but I just can't bear him.
I chalk it up as a case of "It's not you, it's me."
Updated On: 9/29/10 at 10:14 AM
hpeabody930
Featured Actor Joined: 9/8/08
#3Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:16amIsn't he a little young to play Willy??
#4Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:18amI had heard that the Christopher Lloyd production was being strongly considered for some sort of New York run.
#5Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:20amAt 43, he's older than Lee J. Cobb, who originated the role at 38, give or take.
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#6Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:23am
Reginald, we agree on PSH. Seldom has such minimum competence been so highly rewarded.
We disagree, though, in that there's absolutely no way I'll ever think that PSH's entirely competent impression of Truman Capote was more deserving of an Oscar than Heath Ledger's imperishable Ennis Del Mar.
#7Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:28am
It may have sounded as though I vouched for his Capote more strongly than I did.
Let's just say I didn't think it a miscarriage of justice that he won.
#8Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:29amI liked him fine in his younger days, but in the past decade his performances have become incredibly self-indulgent and hammy. I have no desire to see him sweat through Salesman.
AEA AGMA SM
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
#9Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 10:42am
"At 43, he's older than Lee J. Cobb, who originated the role at 38, give or take."
And only a few years younger than Dustin Hoffman when he played the role at the age of 46.
#10Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 11:26amI agree he has become pretty hammy as of late and he can be one note and ultimately come off as rather pretentious and calculated. I doubt I'll be seeing this.
Brick
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/21/06
#11Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 11:40amThe age thing I just find to be a problem. What's the hurry?
#12Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 11:46amI enjoy PSH, but I think Twister was his best work by far.
#13Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 11:47amI haven't seen a performances of his live on stage but it is has been a really long time since I have seen a screen performance of him where I felt sympathetic for his character (that includes Doubt). He usually comes off as a creep (not even including the actual times when he is a villain) and a ham. Almost the antithesis of Willy Loman.
#14Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 12:07pmI have only seen him on stage in Long Day's Journey where, as the reprobate older son (the character's name escapes me) he played it very low key until his last act outburst which was totally and unforgettably stunning. For me - and I know others disagree - he walked off with the play in a cast which included Brian Dennehy, Robert Sean Leonard and Vanessa Redgrave. So, yes, he has the stage chops for Willy Loman.
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#15Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 12:13pmI can just imagine Linda Loman kneeling at the grave and saying, "Bye Willy. Good riddance. Free and clear for sure! I'm outta here!"
RippedMan
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/14/05
#16Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 12:21pmI don't think it is his actual age that is the problem, but the fact that he looks rather young. He looks like a big, overblown hippie.
#17Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 5:51pm
"He looks like a big, overblown hippie."
It's true- he's turned this slovenly bear thing into his one and only look. When was the last time he was clean shaven for a role? Capote?
#18Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 6:07pmNo feelings either way about PSH, but I love Salesman so much that I would go see it even if Debra Monk was Willy.
#19Is Philip Seymour Hoffman Broadway's next Willy Loman?
Posted: 9/29/10 at 6:35pmGod, I can't stand him. He's second only to Jack Black in my "People I wouldn't even spend a penny on seeing live" list.
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