BEST DUSTIN HOFFMAN MOVIES
“The Graduate” (1967) It wasn’t his first movie, but the Mike Nichols-directed cultural touchstone about innocent Benjamin Braddock and seductive Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft) certainly was the first film Hoffman attracted attention for. And he still does.
“Midnight Cowboy” (1969) Hoffman showed his screen range early as brash Ratso Rizzo, unlikely comrade of studly Joe Buck (Jon Voight).
“Little Big Man” (1970) An amazing makeup job is a big part of Hoffman’s performance as one of the last survivors of Custer’s Last Stand.
“Straw Dogs” (1971) British ruffians make the mistake
underestimating the seemingly meek American husband (Hoffman) of a woman they crave (Susan George) in director Sam Peckinpah’s melodrama.
“Papillon” (1973) Firmly on character-actor turf with thick eyeglasses and an awkward gait, Hoffman is memorable as the prison pal of a chronic escapee (Steve McQueen). “Lenny” (1974) Hoffman perfectly captures the humor and persona of racy comic Lenny Bruce.
“All the President’s Men” (1976) Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward probably couldn’t have been happier to have Hoffman and Robert Redford playing them in the fine film about the reporters’ breaking of the Watergate scandal. “Marathon Man” (1976) What’s a really bad dental session for the sake of a great thriller?
“Kramer vs. Kramer” (1979) Hoffman’s first Oscar came for his great work as a suddenly deserted husband and father.
“Tootsie” (1982) The makeup job alone, transforming Hoffman into an actress (yes, an actress), is enough for this comedy to earn raves. Turner Classic Movies shows the film Saturday, Feb. 19.
“Rain Man” (1988) Oscar No. 2 was given to Hoffman as an autistic savant who meets his car huckster brother (Tom Cruise).
“Hook” (1991) Hoffman’s interpretation of villainous Captain Hook is much of the pleasure of Steven Spielberg’s revisionist take on “Peter Pan.”