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Dustin Hoffman in "Rain Man" in 1988. Source: Fhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095953/mediaviewer/rm3251813120/ (May be subject to copyright) |
There is one scene in particular that stands out. Bernstein is in the bathroom of a possible source, and she starts to talk. He has no notepad with him, but grabs the closest thing and starts taking notes. The next scene he is in the news room back at the Washington Post and he is recounting what he learned. He starts to empty his pockets of toilet paper, matchbook covers, and whatever else he grabbed to take notes on.
I laugh, because I have been in that situation. It also shows Bernstein’s determination.
Dustin Hoffman played Carl Bernstein and, although “All the President’s Men” came out in the 1970s, I did not see it on Channel 13 of the peasant vision dial until the ‘80s.
Carl Bernstein was just one role of many in the ‘80s for Hoffman, who celebrated his birthday a couple days ago.
The years before
Dustin Hoffman got his start on an episode of “Naked City” in 1967, and followed that up with two guest starring roles in “The Defenders”; another episode of “Naked City”; and some roles in TV movies and specials.
Dustin Hoffman got his start on an episode of “Naked City” in 1967, and followed that up with two guest starring roles in “The Defenders”; another episode of “Naked City”; and some roles in TV movies and specials.
Hoffman made his film debut in 1967 in “The Tiger Makes Out.”
His breakout role came that same year, 1967, in “The Graduate”, when he played 21-year-old college graduate Benjamin Braddock, who is seduced by Mrs. Robinson, an older married woman played by Katharine Ross. Hoffman was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor, nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and won the Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer. Simon and Garfunkel also wrote “Mrs. Robinson” for the movie.
Hoffman appeared in “Madigan’s Millions” in 1968, then hit it big again in 1969 with “Midnight Cowboy”. He co-stars with Jon Voight as two hustlers in New York City. Hoffman and Voight both received Oscar nominations for Best Actor and Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama.
In 1969, he appeared opposite Mia Farrow in “John and Mary”, where he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. He was then in “Little Big Man” as a 121-year-old man telling his life story to a historian. He talks about being raised among the Cheyenne Nation then tries to reintegrate into American pioneer society. What I will always remember is Canadian actor Chief Dan George’s performance, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. George was the first Indigenous actor ever nominated for an Oscar.
The next movie I recall is “Papillon” which came out in 1973. Hoffman plays alongside Steve McQueen as prisoners trying to escape from Devil’s Island. I recall watching the movie and one scene where one of them is forced to eat bugs to survive.
The next year, 1974, Hoffman played controversial comedian Lenny Bruce in the aptly titled “Lenny”. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for the role and a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama.
In 1976, Hoffman played Carl Bernstein in “All the President’s Men”, which remains one of my favourite movies and my favourite Dustin Hoffman film. Along with Robert Redford, who plays Bob Woodward, they are two Washington Post reporters who broke the Watergate scandal story.
The first time “All the President’s Men” was on Channel 13 on the peasant vision dial, I had to go to bed about halfway through it because it was a school night. The first time I saw the movie beginning to end was at the Princess Theatre with my friends Bruce Freadrich and Colin Peters in the 1989-1990 school year
Hoffman starred in the suspense thriller “Marathon Man” in 1976, where he was nominated for Best Actor Motion Picture Drama. He was then in the crime drama “Straight Time” in 1978, and “Agatha” in 1979, about the 11-day disappearance of mystery writer Agatha Christie in 1926.
Hoffman closed out the ‘70s playing Ted Kramer opposite Meryl Streep in “Kramer vs. Kramer”, a movie about a couple going through a bitter divorce and the effect it has on their son. Hoffman won the Oscar, his first, for Best Actor for the role, and won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama.
Dustin Hoffman certainly had made a name for himself as he entered the ‘80s, a decade that give him extreme highs and lows.
Tootsie
After a three-year break, Hoffman was back in 1982 with another award-nominated performance in “Tootsie”. This time out he plays Michael Dorsey, an actor who cannot find work, so he masquerades as a woman to earn a role.
After a three-year break, Hoffman was back in 1982 with another award-nominated performance in “Tootsie”. This time out he plays Michael Dorsey, an actor who cannot find work, so he masquerades as a woman to earn a role.
Hoffman was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor, and won the Golden Globe for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
Ishtar
Hoffman’s next movie was one for the ages. In “Ishtar”, which came out in 1987, he stars with Warren Beatty. Wikipedia describes them as two talentless American songwriters who travel for a booking in Morocco and stumble into a four-party Cold War standoff.
Hoffman’s next movie was one for the ages. In “Ishtar”, which came out in 1987, he stars with Warren Beatty. Wikipedia describes them as two talentless American songwriters who travel for a booking in Morocco and stumble into a four-party Cold War standoff.
I never saw “Ishtar” but heard all about it – the massive cost overruns, no one getting along, the massive cost overruns. It is sometimes mentiond in the same breath as “Heaven’s Gate” and “Waterworld” as movies with huge budgets that bombed. I have said many times before the size of budget is an unfair measuring stick.
Still, at the time, being associated with “Ishtar” may have been one of the low points in Hoffman’s career.
Rain Man
As low as “Ishtar” was, Hoffman’s next movie was a high point. “Rain Man” came out in 1988 and starred Tom Cruise as Charlie Babbitt, whose father dies. It is revealed he has an autistic brother named Raymond, played by Hoffman. It is an exceptional movie about autism, inclusiveness, family, and love. For me, this movie humanized Cruise who, to that point, always played the cocky, smirking protagonist. There is still some of that here, but his role is layered.
As low as “Ishtar” was, Hoffman’s next movie was a high point. “Rain Man” came out in 1988 and starred Tom Cruise as Charlie Babbitt, whose father dies. It is revealed he has an autistic brother named Raymond, played by Hoffman. It is an exceptional movie about autism, inclusiveness, family, and love. For me, this movie humanized Cruise who, to that point, always played the cocky, smirking protagonist. There is still some of that here, but his role is layered.
Hoffman steals the show in so many scenes with his love of routine and need to watched Wapner, on “The People’s Court”.
Hoffman won the Oscar for Best Actor for “Rain Man”, and the Golden Globe for Best Actor Motion Picture Drama.
It is one of his best performances, and another favourite of mine.
Rest of the decade
Hoffman’s final movie of the decade was “Family Business” in 1989. He plays the son in a crime family who leaves when his own son is born. He plays opposite Sean Connery and Matthew Broderick.
Hoffman’s final movie of the decade was “Family Business” in 1989. He plays the son in a crime family who leaves when his own son is born. He plays opposite Sean Connery and Matthew Broderick.
Dustin Hoffman also returned to television in 1985 for a live production of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” where he plays the main character Willy Loman. I remember this television movie being heavily promoted, and I saw a piece on it on “Entertainment Tonight”. It was on peasant vision, I believe, because I recall coming across it when I was switching channels during the commercials of another show. Now, I definitely would watch it.
It was another success, earning Hoffman the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, and the Golden Globe for Best Actor Miniseries or Television Film.
The ’80s had been a decade of the low of “Ishtar” and the high of another Oscar win for “Rain Man”, and Hoffman just kept on working.
The years after
He would appear in movies such as “Dick Tracy”; “Billy Bathgate”; “Hero”; “Outbreak”; “Sleepers”; “American Buffalo”; “Mad City”; “Sphere”; “Runaway Jury”; “Finding Neverland”; “I Heart Huckabees”; “Meet the Fockers”; “The Lost City”; “Barney’s Version”; “Little Fockers”; and much more.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Hook”; nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor and a Golden Globe for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Wag the Dog”; and nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Last Chance Harvey”.
He would appear in movies such as “Dick Tracy”; “Billy Bathgate”; “Hero”; “Outbreak”; “Sleepers”; “American Buffalo”; “Mad City”; “Sphere”; “Runaway Jury”; “Finding Neverland”; “I Heart Huckabees”; “Meet the Fockers”; “The Lost City”; “Barney’s Version”; “Little Fockers”; and much more.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Hook”; nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor and a Golden Globe for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Wag the Dog”; and nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Actor Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for “Last Chance Harvey”.
Hoffman also appeared on television in “The Simpsons”; “Curb Your Enthusiasm”; nine episodes of “Luck”; five episodes of “Medici: Masters of Florence”; and more.
Parting thoughts
Dustin Hoffman is a versatile actor to say the least. It is hard to believe he played Carl Bernstein, Raymond Babbitt and Captain Hook, yet he did, and his talent was often recognized for those efforts.
Dustin Hoffman is a versatile actor to say the least. It is hard to believe he played Carl Bernstein, Raymond Babbitt and Captain Hook, yet he did, and his talent was often recognized for those efforts.
More than anything, he was in so many films I now want to see.
Until then, my favourite performance will be Carl Bernstein in “All the President’s Men”, and that scene where he is taking notes on whatever he can find.
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