A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman
24 Films on Screen
With the announcement that the sculpture of Philip Seymour Hoffman will reside permanently outside the Dryden Theatre, we honor his career with a year-long tribute of twenty-four films across his career. One of Rochester’s own, Hoffman grew up in Fairport and took an early interest in acting. After studying at New York University, he immediately began working in the theater in New York and Chicago. His film career started in the early 1990s, and he soon gained recognition in scene-stealing supporting parts, including Scent of a Woman, Boogie Nights, and The Big Lebowski. He graduated to lead roles with his affecting performance in Flawless in 1999 but continued to shine in supporting roles in films like Magnolia, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Almost Famous, and Punch-Drunk Love. It was 2005 when the Academy Awards finally came calling and he earned an Oscar for his performance as the famous author in Capote, the first of four Oscar nominations. His career continued to be varied and vibrant, as he easily moved from independent dramas and animated films to Hollywood blockbusters. Celebrate along with the Dryden all year in 2023 as we present at least two of Hoffman’s films per month. Always check back as there may be a surprise guest or two!
Dates and Titles:
January 14: Scent of a Woman (Martin Brest, 1992)
January 21: Boogie Nights (Paul Thomas Anderson, 1997)
February 3: The Big Lebowski (Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, 1998)
February 17: State and Main (David Mamet, 2000)
Events in this Series
State and Main
A Tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman A unique and clever take on the “films about filmmaking” genre, David Mamet’s absurdist comedy concerns the troubled production of a fictional film, The Old Mill. Plagued by setbacks, director Walt Price (William H. Macy) presses on after the company is kicked out of their New Hampshire location following a controversy with the film’s star.