 Hoffman 's profile continued to grow with the new decade , and he became an increasingly recognizable figure . Despite earlier reservations about directing for the screen , his first release of the 2010s was also his first as a film director . The independent drama Jack Goes Boating was adapted from Robert Glaudini 's play of the same name , which Hoffman had starred in and directed for the LAByrinth Theater Company in 2007 . He originally intended only to direct the film , but decided to reprise the main role of Jack – a lonely limousine driver looking for love – after the actor he wanted for it was unavailable . The low @-@ key film had a limited release , and was not a high earner , though it received many positive reviews . However , Dave Edwards of the Daily Mirror remarked that " Hoffman 's directing debut delivers a film so weak I could barely remember what it was about as I left " , while critic Mark Kermode appreciated the cinematic qualities that Hoffman brought to the film , and stated that he showed potential as a director . In addition to Jack Goes Boating , in 2010 Hoffman also directed Brett C. Leonard 's tragic drama The Long Red Road for the Goodman Theatre in Chicago . Steven Oxman of Variety described the production as " heavy handed " and " predictable " , but " intriguing and at least partially successful " . 
