h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The version I read was that Hoffman's character was weak from not having eaten for several days, so Hoffman fasted to get the feeling right. It doesn't matter which version is true, though - Olivier's comment still applies. I have no objection to 'Method' acting (Hoffman's style) over any other approach as it's the end result that matters. However, I do think that it's possible to go too far and Hoffman definitely went too far with that one.

Vigorous nodding! I'm not an enormous Hoffmaniac, though he has done some excellent work. As to the Method, Brando's performance in 'On the Waterfront' is of the highest calibre...and a lot of his other ones...not to mention De Niro...

It reminds me of a more recent example of getting into character... unfortunately I'm terrible at remembering names and so I can't remember the name of the actor or the film. But in it he plays a mentally disabled guy, and during shooting the actor got into character by insisting on being wheeled around in a wheelchair, hand fed (while foaming authentically at the mouth), and dressed by his attendants, 24 hours a day.

I don't think the crew were very impressed though!

I agree that a lot of Brando's performances are good, but I recently saw him as Fletcher Christian in Mutiny on the Bounty and his performance sucked. He was putting on a god-awful upper-class English accent, and his mannerisms were hideous. I only saw a bit of the start of the film because I felt his performance was so bad that I couldn't stay with it. Maybe it got better as the film progressed, but I couldn't be bothered to find out. I actually preferred Mel Gibson in the film 'Bounty', and I don't rate him as one of the world's great actors.