Tribute To Two Underated Actors

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote in Sony Pictures Classics' Capote - 2005

Paul Giamatti in Universal Pictures' Cinderella Man - 2005

While most people are just beginning to think of Christmas, the people in "La La Land" have another gift giving season in mind. Yes, it is Oscar Season. And in the spirit, I give you my reasons why a new catagory for "Best Underated Supporting Actor". The qualifications for this category, include, any supporting or bit actor who turns in such a memorable performance, it makes you say "damn the movie wasn't the best and the leads didn't give their best, but hey that guy playing the ______ (insert buddy role) made this movie good.

Two great actors who are finally getting the attention they desearve for their contributions for cinematic excellance. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti should both be up for Oscar consideration this year in the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories.

Hoffman should be a lock for his portrayal of Truman Copote in "Copote" and it will be a same if Gimatti isn't nominated for his potrayal of Joe Gould in "Cinderella Man".

I have had the fortunate opportunity to be on set to witness the great contributions to their craft these two men have offered.

I was on the set of the (2003)Canadian drama "Owning Mahowny" to watch Hoffman potray Dan Mahowny, the soft demeanored Canadian banker who quietly executed the largest single-handed bank fraud in Canadian history, grossing over $10 million in eighteen months to feed his gambling obsession.

I was part of a casino scene that required Mr. Hoffman to show the vunerability of the character as he struggled with his addiction. I also had the opportunity to work directly with him on "Resident EvilII" as he gave a terrific performance as a wheel chair bound father trying to get his daughter (the lead little girl) out of "Racoon City"

As for Mr. Giamatti, it wasn't until earlier this month when I had the opportunity to watch (2004)"Sideways". Sorry for the pun, but this movie is like nurturing fine wine. This was the best "buddy films" I've seen in a while.

Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church(from Wings) are the two leads, playing friends who take us on a trip that begins in Southern California and continues up the coast to wine country, where they meet two women, Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh, equally different, both a complement to the men and with whom the men pair up with. The fact that the Madsen/Giamatti pairing is tentative while the Oh/Haden Church pairing is essential to the back story of wine: where the latter display their affair "all over the place, commonly" like Cabernet, the former is defined closer to Pinot, and in one heartbreaking scene, both Giamatti and Madsen define their characters through the evolution of wine throughout the years.

This film made we think back to his performance in this years "Cinderella Man". In which as I have mentioned a few times in previous posts I worked thirty eight days on as a reporter at ring side. Thus, I had many opportunities to watch this great actor, at times cary the scene, when Russell Crowe didn't bring his "A" game. I think this shows in the film. He plays the manager who supports Braddock through thick and thin and his character recalls the era better than anyone in the film and is certainly worthy of nomination from the accademy.

I will be eargerly waiting for the nominations to come out to see if these two men get what they desearve. Until then, I leave you with a couple of great links that describe in detail the accomplishments of this couple of "thesbians".

Philip Seymour Hoffman sites:
IMDB
Daryn's Philp Seymour Hoffman Page
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Topix.net

Paul Giamatti sites:
IMDB
Interview about "Sideways"
NY Times

Later,
Kenaz