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Capote
Directed by: Bennett Miller
Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman
Genre:
Drama
Run Time: 114
min.
Release Date:
September 2005
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
Truman Capote's masterpiece
IN COLD BLOOD (1965) set a new standard and style in the literary
world. We know that he didn't finish another novel after it, too, which
begs the question, "Why?" Fast-forward to the 2005 film CAPOTE
and we get the answer.
Mr. Capote is reincarnated in the body of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman,
and it is "through" him that we get to find out what happened during
this snapshot time in Truman Capote's life. A vicious murder of a family
in rural Kansas takes place and Truman races there to find out if
there's a magazine story in it. But what he finds is much more than just
a short periodical piece. As the murderers are captured, Truman becomes
enraptured with the idea of learning why these seemingly innocuous men
did something so heinous.
Truman digs deep, perhaps too deep, and we watch as every shred of
decency is stripped away from him just so he can "finish the story." He
bribes the prison warden and lies to the two killers (and ultimately to
himself) about why he's really spending so much time with them on death
row.
In the end, it rips Truman apart, causing him to become an alcoholic and
a shell of what he once was.
Occasionally casting directors get "it" right. And this time, they not
only got it right by casting Mr. Hoffman in the role of Truman Capote,
they bottled a bit of magic and captured it on film. David Strathairn
did it, too, in his performance as Edward R. Murrow in
GOOD NIGHT
AND GOOD LUCK, but Hoffman takes it to a euphoric level
for movie watchers. His mannerisms, voice and costumes were impeccable.
Many times I thought I was actually watching Truman Capote and not an
actor playing him. Now that's great acting.
If there was any failings in the movie, I'd have to say it was with its
overall script. Although intriguing and genuinely creepy, it held only a
small piece of what Truman Capote was. I realize that to capture all of
what he was would be almost impossible ...but there you go. That's life.
Even so, Hoffman deserves all the accolades he's gotten and I have no
doubt he'll jump up on stage at the Oscars this year and pick up his
statue.
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Image from Capote
DVD cost: $14.99
Purchase:
BestPrices.com
Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The film opened on
September 30th, 2005, which was Truman Capote's birthday.
Movie Quote: "Since
I was a child people think they had me pegged because of how I talked.
They were always wrong."
Other Actors/Actresses
from Capote
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