In short, Hoffman is quite powerful and true in the film, though in ways that aren't really expectable. Really, what's worth talking about is the acting, and certain things with the style, for if you are wanting to check out the film before (or after) seeing the play, it's worth it to know what you'll be in for. This exchange, and the drama that unfolds, is a truly heart-breaking little moment, among some others in the film, where you see a collision of 'old-school' salesmanship and the always now recycling form of BS that goes with the salesman/business world. It's not worth talking about much of the actual plot or story of the film/play, although it is of note that one of the very best (or at least most effective) scenes for me comes when Willy visits Howard at the office. It is an important film to see/play to read when you're around this age bracket, as the struggles of Willy and Biff collide alongside each other, and some kind of catharsis needs to come for both- one who's life has almost gone up in smoke, and one who needs to figure it out. It is the sort of play you end up going through whether you want to or not in English class(es), particularly in college. If you've read the play, you might envision something else entirely, and if you've seen it on stage it might bring more disappointment.

It gives the star power of Dustin Hoffman in the iconic role of Willy Loman, and for a great theater actor-turned-screen star (though mostly low-key through his career), John Malkovich, and some fine character acting as well. Volker Schlondorff's adaptation of Arthur Miller's bed-rock of an American tragedy, Death of a Salesman, is one of the best made-for-TV movies of the 80's (odd how it never got a theatrical release though).

Death of a salesman 1985