Capote

[kybearfuzz]

I ended up catching a late matinee of Capote yesterday after work.

I figured that it wasn't the most popular flick at this movie house as I was the only person in the whole theater for it. In fact, the movie was supposed to start at 4:40 PM and I had to go remind them to start the show at 4:45 PM. Apparently they had forgotten about me, weren't used to have someone in there, or both.

If Truman Capote was truly this flamboyant and (in my opinion) annoying, then Phillip Seymour Hoffman did a phenomenal job. I enjoyed the parts about his friendship with Harper Lee. However, there were parts where I felt sorry for him and others where I found him despicable. While researching his book "In Cold Blood" he spent a great deal of time with the murderer Perry Smith (played brilliantly by Clifton Collins, Jr., who should have been nominated himself for an Oscar or Golden Globe, I think). Though I think he did develop a deep relationship with Smith, I think Capote also took great advantage of him, lying to him and creating false hopes in order to garner information for his book.

For a while I wondered if I was supposed to feel sympathetic towards Capote or disturbed by him, like maybe I was missing the point of the movie, but figured maybe that was the point. He was a complicated person, and though he has earned respect for his talent as a writer, it didn't make him a perfect or sometimes even likable person.

Did I enjoy the movie? I think so. Would I see it again? Probably not. Would I buy it? Nah.

Comments

[prisonbitch.livejournal.com]

i've been wanting to see it
the reviews i've read of people that knew him in person said that they despised him, but the film played him almost sympathetically.

[grande.livejournal.com]

read in cold blood after you see the movie, and read about some of his tv appearances. you'll then believe that heath ledger doesn't even come close this year.

[truebrixon.livejournal.com]

The movie looked interesting, but I never really had a huge urge to see it. Glad to see you are finding at least something somewhat interesting to do in Cleveland. :)

[cincycub.livejournal.com]

Well it _has_ been out for a while ;)

I enjoyed it but, like you, not so sure about a repeat screening.

[cincy-dave.livejournal.com]

I remember seeing a one man show about Capote. It pretty much painted him the same way. Someone pathetic, but someone sympathetic.

In Cold Blood was always one of my favorite books. It truly sparked my fascination with true crime.

[baeritone.livejournal.com]

That show was called "Tru" and originally starred Robert Morse on Broadway. He won the Tony for Best Actor for playing the part. The show is rather sad, actually, as you watch this thoroughly despicable but talented man as he gossips about everyone in town...and sits home, pathetically alone, because no one will attempt to stomach him in public anymore.

I haven't seen the film yet, but it's on the list; if PSH is as good as they say, I NEED to see it.

[tonethbone.livejournal.com]

Good or bad..this was Capote...and Philip Seymour Hoffman became Capote.
Capote was complicated, weird, vindictive, gossipy, alcoholic, outrageous..and In Cold Blood only scratches the surface of his many personalities. This is a case where the performance (Hoffmann) is more important than the story...which, again, is only a small part of Capote's life

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad you got to see this movie, Mark, because I seriously think Phillip Seymour Hoffman is going to get the Best Actor Oscar for it. And you're absolutely right, Truman Capote was no saint. While he was a brilliant writer, he was also narcissistic and manipulative. But Hoffman's performance here just blew me away.

[jprtoronto.livejournal.com]

Yes -- he was absolutely like that in real life.