 Hoffman 's second 2003 appearance was a small role in Anthony Minghella 's successful Civil War epic Cold Mountain . He played an immoral preacher , a complex character that Hoffman described as a " mass of contradictions " . The same year , from April to August , he appeared with Vanessa Redgrave in a Broadway revival of Eugene O 'Neill 's Long Day 's Journey into Night . Director Robert Falls later commented on the dedication and experience that Hoffman brought to his role of alcoholic Jamie Tyrone : " Every night he ripped it up to an extent that he couldn 't leave [ the role ] . Phil carried it with him . " Hoffman received his second Tony Award nomination , this time for Best Featured Actor in a Play . In 2004 , he appeared as the crude , has @-@ been actor friend of Ben Stiller 's character in the box office hit Along Came Polly . Reflecting on the role , People magazine said it proved that " Hoffman could deliver comedic performances with the best of them " . 
