Year: 2005
Director: Bennett Miller
Country: US
Language: English
Truman Capote (1924-1984) was an American novelist, screenwriter, playwright, and actor. Rising above a childhood of divorce and absent parents, Capote first discovered his talent at the age of eleven. His passion paid off; many of his novels are recognized as American Literary Classics. At least 20 films and television dramas have been produced of Capote's works. With In Cold Blood, he is credited for inventing the "Non-Fiction novel"
Capote depicts a particular time in the novelist's life; the creation of In Cold Blood. Capote (Phillip Seymour Hoffman) learns about a murder case in Kansas and decides to write a book about it. While researching, Capote forms a relationship with one of the killers, Perry Smith, who is on death row.
At first Capote is non-chalant about the case in Kansas, but slowly his experiences writing In Cold Blood emotionally devastate him & hasten his death. The film demonstrates how Truman's eccentricity seemed to mask his great intelligence and deep emotional wounds. He cares deeply for others, unable to cease from sympathizing with his fellow man, even if they seemingly cold blooded killers.
Capote is well written. well directed and well paced. It moves at a leisurely pace, but never ceases to lose your attention. Perhaps because Phillip Seymour Hoffman's acting is utterly phenomenal. Comparing the acting in this film to the many television interviews Capote has done, it is clear that Hoffman has embodied the writer in every way imaginable. His acting Oscar was well deserved.
The cinematography by Adam Kimmel is suitably gray and moody, with many evocative views of the flat Kansas plains (despite being shot in my hometown of Winnipeg, MB). The sets remind us of the 1960's; mainly accurately portraying the trends and fashions of the time. Capote is quite an impressive film, certainly worthy of its subject matter. Praise it! 5/5
No comments:
Post a Comment