Dustin Hoffman blasts 'reprehensible' war (additional info)

The Guardian UK ^ | Thursday February 6, 2003 | Guardian Staff and agencies

[weegee]

Dustin Hoffman used his appearance at this year's Empire film awards to launch an angry attack on President Bush's pending war with Iraq. "I don't think, like many of us, that the reasons we have been given for going to war are the honest reasons," the veteran actor told reporters. "I believe... that this war is about what most wars are about: hegemony, money, power and oil." Hoffman went on to claim that he felt that the Bush administration was "manipulating the grief of the country" in the wake of September 11. "I think that's reprehensible," he added. Hoffman was in London to accept a lifetime achievement award at the magazine's annual film awards, held at the Dorchester Hotel on Tuesday night. But the actor admitted to being rather confused when he was first told of the honour. "I thought when they said it was the Empire awards, that they meant the British Empire giving them. So I wrote a speech, I worked on it, and then I realised it was a magazine." Hoffman, 65, has won two best actor Oscars, for 1988's Rain Man and 1979's Kramer vs Kramer. Other classic roles include The Graduate, Midnight Cowboy, Little Big Man and All the President's Men.

Other winners at the populist awards were Tom Cruise and Samantha Morton, who won best actor and best actress for Minority Report. Steven Spielberg was named best director for the same film. The gong for best picture went to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.

[Lizavetta]

OK folks, caption the dork:

[Centurion2000]

And don't miss the following

Dustin Hoffman : "Death of an Acting Career"

[weegee]

"This is what I get for letting Barbra Streisand run the teleprompter..."

[lainie]

Maybe this explains a little. No doubt he respects and admires this woman:

[PBRSTREETGANG]

So "I am Sam" and "Rainman" are against the war. I'm personally waiting for "Nell", "The Other Sister" and "Benny and Joon" to weigh in before I can make an informed decision on whether we should invade Iraq.

[cavtrooper21]

'...about oil."
Bet he doesn't stop driving his gas-guzzling Caddy SUV or riding in those fuel hogging limos? Two faceism (is that a word?) is a real mantra with so many of these hollyweird types.
Hey Dustin, Confucius said "A liar must have a good memory." Better work on yours... YOU PUTZ!

[valleygal]

Looks like Dustin is now on my list of actors whose movies I won't see or purchase.

Hey, I've got a list like that goin', also! Lately, it's getting longer and longer. :)

[weegee]

Don't forget heating oil...

[lainie]

It's actually nice of them to come right out and let us all know unequivocally who they are, isn't it?

[valleygal]

Yes!. It's making life much easier for me LOL! Not too mention, I'm spending less time watching movies. They are doing us a great service.

[muleskinner]

Is that "Bug-Eye" Susan?

[cavtrooper21]

Heating oil? Dustin just flies south for the winter, in his private jet!

[lainie]

Yeap. Sure is.

[valleygal]

I've got two captions, "Tootsie's on a Roll" or how about"Papillion 2, The Return"(as in please go back, Dustin).

Aren't you named after one of his most memorable lines? (That plaintive wail while pounding on the glass window in the church), "Elaine, Elaine, Elaine...!!! :)

[SerpentDove]

I like Mad Magazine's spoof of his name:

DUSTBIN HOFFMAN

[irv]

It amazes me how someone can be so talented

He was working on a movie (I forget the title) where he had to appear like he'd been through hell. He went for days without bathing or eating or changing clothes in order to get into the part. His co-star - Sir Lawrence Olivier - observing all this shook his head and said, "Why doesn't he just act?"

[aruanan]

Why should I pay any attention to a totally believable endive salad?

[aruanan]

"I believe... that this war is about what most wars are about: hegemony, money, power and oil."

Hey, Dustin! What was Ishtar about?

[Indiana Girl]

Dustin made more sense when he was Rainman.