Dustin Hoffman says his role as Master Carvelle in Boychoir would have been supporting if they didn't want someone to draw people in.
Dustin Hoffman says his role as Master Carvelle in Boychoir would have been supporting if they didn't want someone to draw people in.
Academy Award-winner Dustin Hoffman has criticised the film industry, saying television is the better medium.
Hoffman, who has won two best actor Oscars, made the comparison during an interview with The Independent while promoting his latest movie Boychoir.
"I think right now television is the best that it's ever been and I think that it's the worst that film has ever been... in the 50 years that I've been doing it, it's the worst," he said.
Part of the issue came down to filming schedules and production budgets putting pressure on directors to make good movies, Hoffman said.
"It's hard to believe you can do good work for the little amount of money these days. We did The Graduate and that film still sustains, it had a wonderful script that they spent three years on, and an exceptional director with an exceptional cast and crew, but it was a small movie, four walls and actors, that is all, and yet it was 100 days of shooting."
The Rain Man star added that it is difficult to find good leading roles for actors of his age.
"You reach a certain age, and unfortunately women usually reach it earlier, and you are no longer the leading man, therefore you become the supporting actor, which many times is the mentor of the lead." (sic)
"In [Boychoir], if I were not a name, because they would like to draw people, this would be a supporting part."
Hoffman has experience in both the golden age of television and the film industry.
His HBO TV show Luck was well received when it debuted in 2011, but was cancelled after several horses died on set.
Hoffman made his directorial debut in 2012 with Quartet¸ and most recently starred opposite Judi Dench in the Roald Dahl adaptation Esio Trot.
Just how fair are Hoffman's comments? A look back at his most recent films shows wavering quality and a certain amount of pigeonholing.
Boychoir
Plot:
A boy is hidden away at an elite music boarding school by his father, and he struggles to fit in despite his talent. Hoffman stars as his teacher and conductor.
Box Office:
NZ$242,280 (NZ figures - overseas takings not available)
Dustin Hoffman directs the film about four retired opera singers who reunite for their retirement homes upcoming concert. Stars Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay and Billy Connolly.
Hoffman again voices the role of Master Shifu, the red panda kung-fu teacher of the titular hero Po, and fights alongside him against an animated peacock threat.
