Magnolia is one of the films that you would later come to associate the Hoffman with, as it was thoughtful and extremely quirky. It also happens to be one of the last films in which he played an entirely background role, before being seen as a bigger name. The film is an investigation into coincidence, following the lives of nine characters who do not know each other, but are connected in some way or form. Hoffman portrayed Phil Parma, a nurse tending to Earl Partridge, who is dying of cancer. Hoffman is once again instrumental in holding the story together, as although he has an extremely short amount of screen time, his performance makes us want to see more of his character. Phil is asked by the dying man to make contact with his estranged son, thus bringing Tom Cruise's character into another plot. Phil is caring and well natured, but is immediately berated for his kindness by, of all people, the wife of his patient. Phil is a man who can't seem to do anything to please everyone, despite how well he actually does for anyone in particular. His is a touching presence in a fairly confusing film.
