As this film portrays him, Truman Capote was a complex man. He was two-faced, pretentious, manipulative, caring, sensitive, hypocritical and brilliant.
The central part of this film’s success is the stellar performance from Philip Seymour Hoffman (BOOGIE NIGHTS), who needs to be nominated for the Oscar for his performance. He creates a character who is brought down by his hubris and ego, despite the fact that in the process he accomplishes his greatest artistic triumph.
Though not nearly as flashy as Hoffman, Catherine Keener as Capote’s research assistant Nelle Harper Lee, who over the course of the film gains enormous fame herself for writing TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, is the heart of the film. As Capote’s friend, we see him through her eyes and still care for him despite all his jerkiness. The conversation they have at the movie premiere for MOCKINGBIRD is heartbreaking.
The film chronicles the period in Capote’s life when he first began writing his revolutionary true crime book, IN COLD BLOOD concluding with the execution of the killers Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr., TRAFFIC) and Richard Hickock (Mark Pellegrino, MULHOLLAND DR.). The story shows Capote and Lee investigating the murder of the Clutter family in Kansas and befriending the sheriff Alvin Dewey (Chris Copper, ADAPTATION). Once the killers are caught, Capote becomes infatuated with Perry Smith. The sensitive murder’s life mirrored Capote's, who seems to see an alternative version of himself in Smith. Capote, whose declaration of his homosexuality is questionable even though he lives with writer Jack Dunphy (Bruce Greenwood, 13 DAYS), falls in love with Perry even when he is using the young man for his novel.
The film shows the many layers of Capote’s personality. At times he seemed very caring, but all his actions have an ulterior motive. Capote becomes so consumed with the writing of the book that he is emotionally devastated by the time it’s published. You don’t like Capote, but you’re fascinated by him nonetheless.
The screenplay by Dan Futterman based on a book by Gerald Clarke is extremely nuanced and deserves an Oscar nomination as well. Director Bennett Miller, whose overlooked 1998 documentary THE CRUISE about manic NYC street poet Tim "Speed" Levitch also deals with a strangely chaotic personality, handles his first fictional film with great skill. The pacing is perfect and the muted tone of colors really adds to the somber and tragic mood of the film. It’s right up there with the best of the year and is one of those films that you know will reveal more depth and wonder upon future viewings. Don’t miss it.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
