Rewind – Philip Seymour Hoffman IS Capote (2005)
Last weekend I had the chance to see Academy Award nominated film, Capote, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman. You remember him from the films Charlie Wilson’s War and Doubt (also Oscar nominated).
I don’t really know how to interpret my thoughts on the movie. It’s disturbing, or rather, the plot is but equally so isn’t Hoffman’s very convincing portrayal of the title character. From his mannerisms to the mimicking of his voice, you’d almost think Hoffman and Capote were twins. Although, that would be impossible since Capote himself passed away in 1984. Perhaps, Hoffman could be a…relative? I don’t know. Disturbing…but in a GOOD way!
For those that don’t know, Truman Capote was the author of two of the most famous novels of the 20th Century – Breakfast at Tiffany’s (later made into a film starring Audrey Hepburn) and In Cold Blood (the novel in which this biographical film was based on). Capote tells the story of the eclectic homosexual columnist for The New Yorker who upon hearing of the brutal killings of a farm family in Kansas, feels compelled to write the story behind it only upon doing so, he becomes very close with one of the killers, Perry Smith. This relationship only drives him to further understand not only why the murders happened in the first place but why Perry himself got involved. The research of his book as well as Capote’s personal life take a toll on him but it’s fascinating to see it all unfold on screen.
As I said in the beginning, the plot is disturbing and it’s not just the idea of the murders either. It’s the obsession that Capote himself engages in in learning the truth behind it all. Capote’s life is sad. He is so celebrated for his brilliance in writing and yet because of the man he is, you can tell he himself is just as disturbed as his best work In Cold Blood is.
With a supporting cast led by Catherine Keener (nominated for an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role) and Chris Cooper (the “bad guy” in the first two Bourne movies), it’s no wonder the film was nominated for several Academy Awards, including Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, which Hoffman won for his uncanny portrayal of the man himself.
I give this film
Until next time, see YOU at the movies!
Lisa
If you enjoyed this post, please consider leaving a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader or email.
Subscribe to RSS
I have watched both Capote and Infamous (2006) and actually like Toby Smith better as Capote. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is an over-actor to the point of distracting. I’m a HUGE fan of Catherine Keener and probably liked her better as Harper Lee than Sandra Bullock. I liked the way the story is told in Infamous, delving more into the relationships, those Capote developed with the townsfolk, as well as an interesting examination of that with Perry Smith.