Watch Death of a Salesman

In the acclaimed 1985 film adaptation of Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning play, "Death of a Salesman," Dustin Hoffman stars as Willy Loman, a struggling, middle-aged salesman who is coming to terms with his own mortality and the crushing weight of his missed opportunities. Directed by Volker Schlöndorff, the film opens with Willy returning home from a sales trip, only to find that times have changed and his once-promising career is faltering. As he grapples with financial pressures and a sense of personal failure, Willy begins to lose touch with reality and is haunted by his own memories and delusions.

Throughout the film, Hoffman delivers a riveting performance as Willy, capturing both the man's fragile vulnerability and his overpowering desperation. His interactions with his loving, but exhausted wife Linda (played by Kate Reid) are particularly poignant, as the couple struggles to cope with the harsh realities of their lives in a changing America.

John Malkovich also shines in his role as Biff, Willy's eldest son and former high school football star. As the film unfolds, Biff's own struggles to find his place in the world parallel his father's, leading to a tender and emotional climax that showcases Malkovich's range as an actor.

Despite the grim subject matter, "Death of a Salesman" is a visually stunning film that masterfully captures the mood and tone of Miller's famous play. From the shadowy, claustrophobic interiors of the Loman family home to the bright, bustling streets of New York City, the film immerses viewers in the world of the characters and brings the story to life in vivid detail.

Overall, "Death of a Salesman" is a moving and thought-provoking film that explores the complexities of human relationships, the struggle for the American Dream, and the harsh realities of life in a rapidly changing world. With powerhouse performances from Hoffman, Reid, and Malkovich, it remains a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come.

Death of a Salesman is a 1985 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2.