Death of a Salesman/ Private Conversations (1985)

 A piece of art
Death of a salesman is one of the best samples of the american drama that reflects the real life of the dream that is not even reached by american people.

I love Dustin Huffman play but all the characters are amazingly builded which make the sense of being at the teather. July 3, 2007

 Obviously a collective dvd.
Death of a salesman is the show, which is being put on somewhere in the world almost every day of the year. It's so multi-dynamic and close to real life that it can hurt you for real. Beside the genius playwriting, this movie is an excellent performance of that. Dusting Hoffman, John Malkovich, Kate Reid, Stephen Lang they all have done superb job portraying their characters. Although I am not into literature, capable enough to pay homage for a play like this one, I for certainly recommend this movie for everyone to collect. A must have movie. February 8, 2007

 This is an utterly classic dramatic work
Sparse sets set-up the huge dramatic energy of this deceivingly simple story. Every actor and actress is outstanding and
the power, range, and depth of the performance is incredible.
Bristling with raw force, the drama digs through the layers
of mid-america near mid-century, creating a powerful historical
testament. The stars were aligned for Miller, Hoffman, Malkovic and the rest for this dynamic theatre. Pathos. October 29, 2005

 Searing drama
Dustin Hoffman is Willy Loman, the salesman who's come to the end of his rope as the illusions he's always believed in come crashing down on him. This was filmed originally for TV off the stage, with no attempt to make it into a "movie." It's a very great play, done extremely well here. I think I still might like the 1951 version with Frederic March as Loman a tad better, but Hoffman adds another feather to his cap. (Neither March nor Hoffman can top Lee J. Cobb's portrayal of Willy in the original 1949 stage version.) Kate Reid plays his harried wife Linda, John Malkovich is Biff, and Stephen Lang is Hap.

The "Private Conversations" piece, back-stage doings and interviews, is a let down after watching the movie. It completely knocks the wind out of the sails of the performance just seen. September 14, 2005

 Story about a Salesman who Travels but...Never Arrives
+++++

This movie is about hard-working, traveling salesman Willy Loman (Dustin Hoffman), a man whose life has become a permanent nervous breakdown. He's about to lose his job, he can't pay his bills, and his sons Biff (John Malkovich) and "Happy" (Stephen Lang) don't respect him and can't seem to live up to their potential. His wife (Kate Reid) still loves him but she is caught up in a state of "bitter helplessness." Willy, now in his sixties, wonders what went wrong (after all, his dream of monetary success should have come true by now!!) and how he can make things up to his family. He is now indeed a "low man."

A talented, sensitive director (Volker Schlondoroff) with a topflight main cast (stated above), under the supervision of the original author who penned the Pulitzer Prize-winning play in 1949 (Arthur Miller, Oct. 1915 to Feb. 2005) on which this movie is based, make this movie an unforgettable viewing experience. The emphasis of this entire movie is on the excellent performances.

Hoffman (who won an Emmy and Golden Globe for this role) gives a standout performance in this movie as the bewildered Willy who now is suffering a crisis, a kind of "success mania." Malkovich gives a superb performance as Biff, the son that Willy has decided to transfer his failed ambitions too. Also look for Linda Kozlowski of "Crocodile Dundee" fame in a small but sharp role.

Finally, the DVD extra called "Private Conversations" is a ninety-minute documentary with the entire cast that especially features Hoffman, Malkovich, Miller, and Schlondoroff.

In conclusion, this is an unforgettable movie with outstanding performances that's based on an award-winning play. Thus, you can't go wrong in watching this movie!!

(1985; 2 hr, 15 min; made for TV; full screen)

+++++
February 23, 2005

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