neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Love Liza
	Todd Louiso Philip Seymour Hoffman, Kathy Bates, Jack Kehler 2002		Darkly depressing and bitterly funny at the same time, "Love Liza" is a tour de force for prolific character actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose memorable supporting roles have contributed to fine films from "Boogie Nights" to "Almost Famous" to "25th Hour." Hoffman plays Wilson, a talented Web designer who goes into a tailspin when his wife Liza unexpectedly commits suicide. Even after a period of mourning, Wilson is useless at work, socially crippled and incapable of reading the suicide note that Liza left under his pillow. Wilson's problems only increase, because he begins to blot out his misery with a brain-blasting brand of substance abuse — gasoline-huffing. As expected, the redoubtable Kathy Bates ("About Schmidt") brings depth to a crucial supporting role: Liza's mother, Mary Ann, furious with Wilson for refusing to reveal the contents of Liza's good-bye letter. "Love Liza," written by Hoffman's brother Gordy, is the first feature film directed by actor Todd Louiso ("High Fidelity"). Louiso does right by a script with an off-putting anti-hero, but the acting mastery of Hoffman and Bates keeps this difficult ride going strong.