Philip Seymour Hoffman Said He'd "Fight You to the Death" if You Didn't Like This PTA Gem

Philip Seymour Hoffman is rightly considered one of the greatest actors of his generation – a master of impeccable character work.

Among the many brilliant works in his filmography, there was one he held in particularly high regard. It was not just one of his best projects, but one of the greatest movies he had ever seen, in his own words.

Philip Seymour Hoffman Named Paul Thomas Anderson's 'Magnolia' One of he Greatest Films He Ever Seen

Hoffman, a frequent Paul Thomas Anderson collaborator, appeared in five of his movies, beginning with Boogie Nights. However, the epic three-hour Magnolia held a special place in the actor's heart.

Philip Seymour Hoffman once said:

“I think Magnolia is one of the best films I've ever seen, and I can say that straight and out and anybody that disagrees with me, I'll fight you to the death. I just think it is one of the greatest films I've ever been in and ever seen.”

What Is 'Magnolia' About?

Magnolia is a grand, complex tapestry woven from the intertwining lives of residents in San Fernando Valley. Its plot is a kaleidoscope of interconnected stories about pain, loneliness, guilt, and the search for forgiveness.

A TV producer who is dying of cancer tries to reconcile with the son he abandoned years ago, who has become a cynical pickup artist. The host of a popular game show for child prodigies must cope with his wife's departure and his daughter's drug addiction.

A kindhearted police officer tries to help that same daughter. A former child prodigy whose life has gone downhill struggles with despair.

Phil Parma in 'Magnolia' Remains One of the Best Roles in Philip Seymour Hoffman's Filmography

Amidst the chaos of emotions and shattered lives, Philip Seymour Hoffman played perhaps the brightest and most human character: Nurse Phil Parma.

According to Anderson, who wrote the role specifically for Hoffman, he asked the actor to embody empathy and care on set – the actor fulfilled this task brilliantly. Hoffman's portrayal of Parma is an unwavering beacon of compassion amidst an ocean of selfishness, resentment, and despair.

Without a trace of sentimentality and with minimalist restraint, Hoffman imbues his character with such warmth and genuine humanity that Parma becomes the emotional core of the entire movie.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Magnolia'?

• Magnolia has 82% from critics and 89% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 8.0/10.

• On Letterboxd, Magnolia scored 4.2/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Magnolia'?

Magnolia is available to stream on HBO Max.