I know it's been forever, but I just had to comment. I watched this movie a few years ago and just didn't get it, or particularly like it (except Malkovich's performance).
Junior year of high school, we read it as a class and I still didn't get it (probably because my teacher assigned us roles, and we had only two guys in the class, who were cast as Willy and Biff. They were two of the most insolent guys I've ever known, and gave it absolutely no emotion, even though they had been given two of the best roles in American theatre. Dumbasses).
Finally, my second year in college, I read it again for my acting class and watched a production at some repertory theatre on YouTube. FINALLY, I understood it. The man cast as Willy did an amazing job. Finally, I realized what had been bothering me: Hoffmann was miscast as Willy Loman. Please don't execute me! I think he would have been a great Biff when he was younger, but something just wasn't right about his interpretation of Willy. He wasn't heartbreakingly vacant enough - he just kind of always seemed all-knowing, and he was way too subdued. Willy Loman should be larger than life to compensate for his failures.
I pronounce you man and wife. Proceed with the execution.
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