If the name Dustin Hoffman conjures up thoughts of a dog being flushed down the toilet in “Meet The Fockers”, or the movie “Kung Fu Panda”, it’s time for you to read the below.
I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Dustin Hoffman, the first in what will be many posts about actors or directors you may know, but might not have caught some of their best work. I’ve refrained from providing a summary for each film because I would really like it if you took the time to search each movie out and find out what’s right for you!
The Movie That Would Go On My Top Films of All Time List: “The Graduate”
This is pretty much a no brainer because chances are if you’ve seen The Graduate you love it.
Experimental Dustin: “Straw Dogs”
Though it is said he took the role purely for money (Hoffman is against overly violent films), Sam Peckinpah’s 1976 film “Straw Dogs” is a gripping psychological thriller. The movie slowly builds to an end that still makes me fear the English countryside.
The Film That Made Me Love Dustin (Aka The Movie That Would Go On My Top Films of All Time List Part Deux): “All The President’s Men”
I wasn’t expecting much from “All The President’s Men” the first time I watched it, but the truth is I don’t think for one second I took my eyes off the screen. Though I love Hoffman playing characters on his own, he really excels when he has a counterpart (see also “Midnight Cowboy”, and “Papillion”), and Hoffman and Redford are team that rank up their with the best of them.
You Can Laugh Once In Awhile: “Tootsie”
Hoffman had a crew that was truly firing on all cylinders when it came time to shoot “Tootsie”, as well as a really fancy red dress. With the late Sydney Pollack behind the camera, a superb script, and an extremley talented ensemble, Hoffman had great support backing what is considered his riskiest role (take that Robin Williams). The pairing of Hoffman and Bill Murray as two flat mates is perhaps my favorite on screen pairing in cinema history.
The Family Dramedy that was able to be successful without Julia Roberts or Susan Sarandon: “Kramer Vs. Kramer”
Proving all dramedies (Drama with Comedy) don’t have to be sugar coated products of Hollywood, “Kramer Vs. Kramer” is sincerely touching. I have watched it countless times and there is no denying it’s timeless appeal. I think any family, whether on the brink of destruction, going through some hard times, or just wanting to watch a movie could relate to it. Though I doubt a family on the brink of destruction would actually want to sit down and watch a movie together.
Some Other Mentions (By No Means Should These Be Considered Lesser Works, It’s just not ones that I’m big on):
Good Movies, Great Dustin: “Little Big Man”, “Straight Time”, “Dick Tracy”, “Rain Man”, “Papillion”.
The One That Only I Would Like: “Hook”
Seriously Underrated: “I Heart Huckabees”
Ones to stay away from: Almost everything after 1990. Especially “Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium”.
One to watch with the idea you have to have the mindset that it’s the 1960s and that if I watched it a second time I’d probably like it a lot more: “Midnight Cowboy”
Ones I Haven’t Seen (Whip Me Now..because some of these are big ones):
Lenny (Ouch)
John & Mary
Marathon Man (AWWW GOD IT BURNS!)
