My heart goes out to the family of Philip Seymour Hoffman, our beloved Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games trilogy movie depictions, who died today at the age of 46.
Hoffman was such a talented actor, giving life to every character he portrayed. One of the first roles that made me take notice of him was his depiction of Freddie Miles in "The Talented Mr. Ripley." While Matt Damon headlined, it was obvious that Hoffman was a serious actor.
He played the cranky manager of the Oakland A's (Art Howe) in one of my favorite movies of all time: "Moneyball." No one could have played that part as well as he. Of course, he had already made a name for himself before "Moneyball" when he played Truman Capote in "Capote." After winning the Oscar for best actor, it was hard not to take notice of his versatility. His role as Harper Lee's childhood friend was the link joining my favorite novel movies together: Harper Lee's classic To Kill a Mockingbird and Suzanne Collins' best-sellers The Hunger Games trilogy.
Sources say he only had one remaining scene to complete for "Mockingjay Part II," which will most likely be rewritten and filled by another character. Even so, it should be noted that he is irreplaceable. I remember my reaction when his name was released to play Plutarch, thrilled that such a talented actor would play the war-mongering head gamemaker that ultimately saves, destroys, then saves Katniss again. Will he ever get to utter the line, "Don't be a stranger" to Katniss?
My deepest condolences go out to his family and friends. I will miss him not only for the role he played in The Hunger Games trilogy, but for all of his films. The three-finger salute goes out to you, Philip...
