Film Focus: PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN (1999-2007)

Philip Seymour Hoffman made his screen debut in episode 14 of the very first season Law & Order, titled “The Violence of Summer”. His rise to stardom was gradual. He did make blockbusters, but his skill as an actor was impossible not to notice. In the upper echelon among his peers, almost every performance felt like a glimpse into his soul. Less than a decade after winning the Oscar for Best Actor in Capote, he met an untimely end in 2014, passing away at age 46.

Imprint Films celebrates the thespian performer in their Film Focus series, available now on Blu-ray, containing eight years of Hoffman’s career with Flawless, Owning Mahowny and the Sidney Lumet send-off Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.

After suffering a debilitating stroke, a retired and bigoted New York cop, played by Robert De Niro, seeks singing lessons from his drag queen neighbour played by a very fabulous Philip Seymour Hoffman. Directed by Joel Schumacher, this vibrant yet gritty urban drama certainly has a lot of character, and Hoffman is very convincing as the tough-but-often victimised Rusty. His reality is at the mercy of slumlords and localised crime, but the strength and confidence we see through Hoffman’s performance transcends adversity.

Hoffman is a successful banker, Dan Mahowny, who utilises his access to various lines of credit, amounting to millions of dollars, to fund his gambling addiction. Unlike the often-romanticised depiction of gamblers, this is a portrait of an individual who isn’t necessarily concerned with winning, outside of his obligation to pay back stolen money and loans from the local crime bookie. It’s more about the feeling that comes from rolling the dice, win or lose, which does tap into the stark reality of addiction. Hoffman’s performance revolves around emoting and physicality rather than intense dialogue.

Without a doubt the heaviest hitting of the bunch. Hoffman is in good company with stars Ethan Hawke, Marisa Tomei, Rosemary Harris and Albert Finney, with director Sidney Lumet at the helm. This bleak spiral of self-destruction stems from Andy (Hoffman), a firstborn son who ropes in his younger brother, Hank (Hawke), to rob his parents’ jewellery store to ease their money woes. It’s a drama that’s more about what lies beneath the surface as Andy’s plan seems to come from a darker place. Hoffman’s intensity is at eleven, which gives the film an uneasy tone while often creating a nerve-racking experience for the viewer. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead may not look like vintage Lumet, but his signature style and many of the classic’s themes he’s known for are present.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Flawless

1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
NEW Audio commentary by film historians Bryan Reesman, Max Evry, and Jason Bailey
Archival interviews with actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robert De Niro, and director Joel Schumacher
B-Roll Footage
Theatrical Trailers
Audio: English 5.1 Surround + LPCM 2.0 Stereo

Owning Mahowny

1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
NEW Audio commentary by writer Gary Stephen Ross, author of No Limit: The Incredible Obsession of Brian Molony (the source novel for Owning Mahowny), and Dr. Will Dodson of Someone’s Favorite Productions
NEW Audio commentary by film critic and author Walter Chaw
NEW Place Your Bets: The Agony and The Ecstasy of Gambling in Cinema – video essay by film programmer Billy Ray Brewton
Archival interviews from actors Philip Seymour Hoffman, Minnie Driver, John Hurt and Richard Kwietniowski
Theatrical Trailer
Audio: English LPCM 2.0 Stereo

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray
Audio commentary by director Sidney Lumet and actors Philip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke
A Dark Story – interview with screenwriter Kelly Masterson (2020)
Best Last Film – interview with actor Ethan Hawke (2020)
Directed by Sidney Lumet: How the Devil Was Made – featurette
Theatrical Trailer
Audio: English 5.1 Surround + LPCM 2.0 Stereo

Imprint have given a fresh take on these three classic features by commissioning NEW bonus material which mainly comes via audio commentaries, but for Owning Mahowny the video essay The Agony and The Ecstasy of Gambling in Cinema charts the addictive subgenre. It’s a fascinating little extra for what is a relatively obscure title.

The interview with screenwriter Kelly Masterson is a testament to one’s determination to make their mark in Hollywood, whereas actor Ethan Hawke, who looks to be rockin’ a caffeine high, talks with much enthusiasm about working with Sidney Lumet on the director’s last film.

VIDEO AND AUDIO

Ported from pre-existing Blu-ray editions, the 1.85:1 and 1.78:1 image for Flawless and Owning Mahowny, respectively, are basic and quite evident of early generation HD transfers with darkened tones. Flawless, however, does offer more colours, but they are somewhat undersaturated. Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead benefits greatly from being shot on digital and is by far the best-looking title in this set. All titles offer LPCM 2.0 Stereo sound, which is optimal given the genres. English HOH subtitles are available.

Many labels in the past have been guilty of simply taking ready-made titles off the shelf and putting them in a box with their stamp. While any Philip Seymour Hoffman set would be an easy win, Imprint has stuck to their signature standard to justify the price for fans of the late actor.

FILM FOCUS: PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN
(1999-2007, director: Various)