Capote (2005) Directed by Bennett Miller. With Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Chris Cooper, Clifton Collins Jr., Mark Pellegrino, Bruce Greenwood and Bob Balaban.
Directed by Bennett Miller, Capote is a biographical drama telling the story of Truman Capote’s research into writing his influential non-fiction book, In Cold Blood. With a screenplay adapted by Dan Futterman (also known as an actor), the film is perhaps best remembered for the distinction of its central performance; an Oscar-winning Philip Seymour Hoffman in the title role.
Bennett Miller immediately captures our attention by introducing us to Seymour Hoffman’s Capote in a social setting, surrounded by people in thrall of his wit. It’s a charming intro that quickly acquaints us and establishes his character. From there, we travel to Kansas with Capote, who is joined by Catherine Keener playing To Kill a Mockingbird author, Harper Lee – as together they begin to investigate the details around the shocking murder of a local family, which eventually brings him into direct contact with those responsible.
Seymour Hoffman’s portrayal of Capote is so captivating, that it sometimes detracts from the narrative of the film around it. We yearn to learn more of Capote, the man; yet the focus isn’t on him or his life, but the details of his research into the story behind his book. It isn’t that the events of the film aren’t of interest, its just that the performance is played with such conviction, that we find ourselves pining to know more about him. Indeed, some of the best scenes are glimpses of Capote holding court in bars with friends, in which we see his larger-than-life personality coming to the fore. Also, scenes with Catherine Keener, and Truman’s partner, Jack Dunphy (Bruce Greenwood), tease us with the impression of an extremely playful, mischievous man.
Adam Kimmel drains colour from his beautiful cinematography to achieve a look more fitting with the solemn tone of the piece, which is an emotion that intensifies the more entrenched Capote becomes in the lives of the killers. The film evokes a complex emotional response as Capote unveils a degree of humanity in one of the murderers (Clifton Collins Jr.) that forces him (and we, the audience) into a certain amount of conflict.
With subject matter that is likely to weigh heavily for a good time afterwards, Capote is a film that is rich, not only in its attention to period detail, but in its performances. Seymour Hoffman is nothing short of excellent and is backed-up by a range of fine supporting turns that contribute vastly to this stern, emotionally draining drama. 3.5/5
Gareth Rhodes Film Reviews 
Still haven’t seen this. I should change that.
There are so many films to keep up with. This one is worth going back for.
It took me a while to ease into this movie. I wasn’t sure of PSH at all at first but came to appreciate the way he played him.
Oh really? That’s interesting. He won me over with his first few exchanges. I’m yet to see the film, Infamous, in which Toby Jones plays Capote. It remember it being kind of awkward that both films were released at a similar time.
This one sucked me in instantly. Hoffman was captivating & I was enthralled at how he portrayed Capote’s conflict regarding the one prisoner (trying to avoid spoilers here).
Will have to watch this yet again – truth really is stranger than fiction.
Same here – he more or less ‘had me at hello’ with his performance.
I feel like I spend half of my time avoiding both giving out and being exposed to spoilers – which you’ll be well aware, is doubly difficult when you do what we do.
Alas, some concepts cannot be expressed without spoilers. In the end, it will have to fall to ‘caveat lector’ – let the reader beware.
For what it’s worth – I think you do an excellent job.