Capote (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
November 14, 1959: Truman Capote (Phillip Seymour Hoffman), popular writer for The New Yorker, hears of a horrific family murder in Holcomb, Kansas. Intrigued, he & his friend, Harpee Lee (Catherine Keener), head off to Kansas to research the story for a book that he'll title, 'In Cold Blood'. It's during this research that Capote develops a close relationship with Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr.), one of the two killers. This biodrama chronicles the journey into the psyche of 2 madmen: the killer, & the selfish author who goes to extremes to get the accurate story, and revel in literary success. 'Capote', directed by Bennett Miller, is a bit beige, at times (in both color scheme & emotion). But Hoffman's brilliant performance lends to an already great movie.
Initially thinking he'd write an article on the grisly murders, Capote's research bodes well & he figures he can squeeze out a novel. Lee is along for guidance & literary support (she had just completed To Kill a Mockingbird). When the killers are apprehended, Truman is brushed off by Kansas Bureau of Investigation's lead detective, Alvin Dewey (the usually sturdy, Chris Cooper). Luckily, Mrs. Dewey enjoys Truman's fictional writings and offers for him & Lee to come to dinner. Truman wins-over Dewey, and some prison interviews are set up. Following their trial & eventual conviction, Capote spends years gathering vital information for his never-ending novel. Thing is, over the years of compiling Perry's life (in particular), it seems that a mutual understanding of each other took place.
Capote learned about Perry's unfortunate life. Perry regrets having been a part of the awful killings. He may have been abused as a young boy. He's artistic, having dabbled in literature, music, etc. His quiet, emotional sincerity (and even gentility) moves Truman. Even though 'we' all know he's guilty of cold-blooded murder, Capote has sympathy for him! Because of all of this, Capote didn't view Perry's involvement as cold-blooded. Being homosexual, it's believed that Truman & Perry may have had something going on, though it's not touched upon much in this movie. Through the years, Capote helps the prisoners stay alive by paying for some of the appeals. He does this with bizarre dual intentions: 1) Keep them alive so he can finish his book. 2) Keep Perry alive for personal reasons.
But by April of 1965, the execution had been postponed long enough. And Capote watched in the rain as Perry & Dick Hickock died by the noose. The movie is complex because we see the co-dependency that both men had on each other. Capote selfishly needed a best-selling book. Perry wanted to stay alive. But they both needed each other emotionally. The motives surrounding the novel are bewitching to watch. Near the end of the film, Capote laments, "All I want to do is write the ending, & there's no ending in sight". Hoffman emotes these lines so desperately, and so defeatedly, it practically pierces the screen. Although the hanging meant he could move on, finishing the book (and the sadness that goes along with it) would still induce misery. How could he forgive himself?
What's to be said that hasn't already been said about Phillip Seymour Hoffman's performance? He re-creates the essence of the talented, intelligent, greedy, selfish, quick-tongued personality that was Truman Capote. He was an incredibly peculiar man with a whiny voice. While intelligent, Hoffman also makes sure to expose Capote's emotional wounds, insecurities, & faults. His portrayal is simply uncanny. Keener is good as a tough Harpee Lee. But it's not only the acting that impresses here. The grim, stark cinematography really sets the 1950's mood of a barren Kansas. The script (by actor Dan Futterman) is great. There's a morbid, eerie, disturbing feeling that clouds the screen at all times. If there's a complaint, it's that it's almost too intimate, quiet at too many lengths, too unsettling; there's no air to breath in 'Capote'. So, it falls just short of greatness. But to pick up on the many fascinating details, it's a film that I'd like to watch over & over again.
Initially thinking he'd write an article on the grisly murders, Capote's research bodes well & he figures he can squeeze out a novel. Lee is along for guidance & literary support (she had just completed To Kill a Mockingbird). When the killers are apprehended, Truman is brushed off by Kansas Bureau of Investigation's lead detective, Alvin Dewey (the usually sturdy, Chris Cooper). Luckily, Mrs. Dewey enjoys Truman's fictional writings and offers for him & Lee to come to dinner. Truman wins-over Dewey, and some prison interviews are set up. Following their trial & eventual conviction, Capote spends years gathering vital information for his never-ending novel. Thing is, over the years of compiling Perry's life (in particular), it seems that a mutual understanding of each other took place.
Capote learned about Perry's unfortunate life. Perry regrets having been a part of the awful killings. He may have been abused as a young boy. He's artistic, having dabbled in literature, music, etc. His quiet, emotional sincerity (and even gentility) moves Truman. Even though 'we' all know he's guilty of cold-blooded murder, Capote has sympathy for him! Because of all of this, Capote didn't view Perry's involvement as cold-blooded. Being homosexual, it's believed that Truman & Perry may have had something going on, though it's not touched upon much in this movie. Through the years, Capote helps the prisoners stay alive by paying for some of the appeals. He does this with bizarre dual intentions: 1) Keep them alive so he can finish his book. 2) Keep Perry alive for personal reasons.
But by April of 1965, the execution had been postponed long enough. And Capote watched in the rain as Perry & Dick Hickock died by the noose. The movie is complex because we see the co-dependency that both men had on each other. Capote selfishly needed a best-selling book. Perry wanted to stay alive. But they both needed each other emotionally. The motives surrounding the novel are bewitching to watch. Near the end of the film, Capote laments, "All I want to do is write the ending, & there's no ending in sight". Hoffman emotes these lines so desperately, and so defeatedly, it practically pierces the screen. Although the hanging meant he could move on, finishing the book (and the sadness that goes along with it) would still induce misery. How could he forgive himself?
What's to be said that hasn't already been said about Phillip Seymour Hoffman's performance? He re-creates the essence of the talented, intelligent, greedy, selfish, quick-tongued personality that was Truman Capote. He was an incredibly peculiar man with a whiny voice. While intelligent, Hoffman also makes sure to expose Capote's emotional wounds, insecurities, & faults. His portrayal is simply uncanny. Keener is good as a tough Harpee Lee. But it's not only the acting that impresses here. The grim, stark cinematography really sets the 1950's mood of a barren Kansas. The script (by actor Dan Futterman) is great. There's a morbid, eerie, disturbing feeling that clouds the screen at all times. If there's a complaint, it's that it's almost too intimate, quiet at too many lengths, too unsettling; there's no air to breath in 'Capote'. So, it falls just short of greatness. But to pick up on the many fascinating details, it's a film that I'd like to watch over & over again.