 Hoffman collaborated with Paul Thomas Anderson for the fifth time in The Master ( 2012 ) , where he turned in what critic Peter Bradshaw considered the most memorable performance of his career . Set in 1950s America , the film featured Hoffman as Lancaster Dodd , the charismatic leader of a nascent Scientology @-@ type movement who brings a troubled man ( Joaquin Phoenix ) under his tutelage . Hoffman was instrumental in the project 's development , having been involved with it for three years . He assisted Anderson in the writing of the script by reviewing samples of it , and suggested making Phoenix 's character , Freddie Quell , the protagonist instead of Dodd . A talented dancer , Hoffman was able to showcase his abilities by performing a jig during a surreal sequence ; Bradshaw called it an " extraordinary moment " that " only Hoffman could have carried off . " The Master was praised as an intelligent and challenging drama , and Drew Hunt of the Chicago Reader also felt that it contained Hoffman 's finest work : " He 's inscrutable yet welcoming , intimidating yet charismatic , villainous yet fatherly . He epitomizes so many things at once that it 's impossible to think of [ Dodd ] as mere movie character " . Hoffman and Phoenix received a joint Volpi Cup Award at the Venice Film Festival for their performances , and Hoffman was also nominated for an Academy Award , a Golden Globe , a BAFTA Award and a SAG Award for the supporting role . 
