Dustin!

 

A memorable actor!

An icon in his own class.

Full of character and many characters.

Each role leaves an impression as real as a chance meeting.

 

Forty years in a career!

To some, one difficult and demanding.

To others, 'the best screen actor of his generation.'

The 'Oscars' acknowledge a part of his talent.

His peers acclaim the rest.

 

The Graduate!

A young Benjamin opens the eyes of youth.

'Hello Mrs Robinson."

Hell has no fury like the scorn of a woman.

Yet, in the end, love does conquer lust.

 

Cowboy!

Ratzo Rizzo, apathetic, filled with pathos.

The attempt to beat the odds.

He speaks for the little guy,

even on a controversial matter.

 

Straw Dogs!

Mild mannered husband!

To some the average hero.

Passionate in defending his own

property and personal relationship.

 

Lennie!

The insight of another artist.

The reflection in the mirror captures more.

There have been many times when ' your in the middle

of something that is going to be significant.'

 

Marathon Man!

'Is it safe?'

What a line and what a theme!

The perfection of the character actor.

He outruns his success.

 


The Actors Studio found an Actor;

With method that brought results.

A new genre of professional.

Some may claim their place equally.

Gene Hackman, Robert Duvall, Robert Redford, Jon Voight.

 

'I am working here!'

Centre stage follows him.

For those who worked with him,

the results were self evident.

How many faces were visible?

 

'All the President's Men!'

Revealing!

Intense!

Precise!

Captured an historical performance!

 

'Papillion!'

Death on an island!

No man is an island unto himself.

Imprisoned the soul may survive;

Freed, the mind can be appreciated.

 

'Kramer vs. Kramer!'

Ted found parenthood.

Life's most difficult expressions

found the truth of expression.

Meryl Streep helped to cut the cord.

 

Best Actor!

Recognition that is a glimpse,

that captures only a moment

of worthy artistic performance

in a life that has given many.

 

'Tootsie!'

To miss out on half a life

and a lot of interesting experiences.

Openness bridged a gap

where playing and understanding your craft is totally relevant.


 

Rainman!'

A stroke of genius.

Artistic. Difficult to express.

Obsessive. Difficult to control.

Raymond portrayed a reality.

 

'Moonlight Mile!'

'Runaway Jury!'

'Confidence!'

For an incredible talented individual with great stamina

even Jose Ferrerra could be motivated.

 

For every actor there is one character.

For some actors there is every character.

Dustin Hoffman stands in every spotlight.

For he is the sum of the whole.

 

Will George © 2004


Will George Poet


will-george-poet.co.uk