wpainterw

I was saddened to see, in this morning’s New York Times, that the actor, Philip Hoffman (1967-2014), is dead, apparently from an overdose of heroin. Hoffman is reported to have had a long struggle with alcohol and drugs, but also had impressive periods of sobriety, during which he starred in numerous films, often portraying the dark interior struggles of ordinary folk, like Willie Loman in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”. Due to his achievements one might call him a “high functioning alcoholic”, a success despite a lifelong struggle with his inner demons. As Willie Loman’s wife said at her husband’s funeral, “He's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. He's not to be allowed to fall in his grave like an old dog. Attention must finally be paid to such a person.” His life illustrates so well that, despite long periods of sobriety the struggle is never ending. Not a white knuckling “dry drunk” but an awareness that something behind you may be watching your back.

W.