Capote (2006)

Capote Inhabits Hoffman!

I was bowled over by Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Capote. He was masterful and had every detail of Truman Capote's quirky mannerisms and fine nuances. He truly deserved his Oscar for this role!

The film covers the seven-year period of Capote's life when he was researching and writing In Cold Blood.

Clifton Collins, Jr. is thoroughly convincing as the disturbed young murderer, Perry Smith, while Chris Cooper plays the role of Alvin Dewey (the Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent who was primarily responsible for breaking the case) with a certain remoteness and sharp eye on Capote's motives.

Catherine Keener is fascinating as Capote's dear friend Harper Lee (whose own novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, is soon to hit the market) as she accompanies Capote on some of his research trips to Kansas and lends him an ear back in NYC.

Directed by Bennett Miller.

Like actor Chris Cooper, this film struck close to me personally as we were both children and teens during this seven-year period and lived in the Kansas City area. We both well remember when the Clutter family was murdered in their farmhouse in rural Kansas, all the news coverage, the capture of the murderers, their trial, appeals, and eventual execution.

Rated R for some violent images and brief strong language.

My personal rating: A.