Stunning performance, compelling viewing

Rating: 8/10 (19 March 2006)

I was already a big Phillip Seymour Hoffman fan so I awaited this film with much excitement. However I knew nothing about Truman Capote beforehand and I had never seen any footage of him. Therefore I can't examine just how well Hoffman becomes Capote, but I can remark on his performance. It truly is a stunning piece of work from Hoffman once which really brings the character to life, he conveys the conflict within Capote quite beautifully. He draws on a wide range of emotions each of them brilliantly brought to life with a performance which is at times flamboyant and at others understated.
I found this film very challenging, more so than any I can remember seeing recently. Should we seek to forgive the killers and could we dare to like Perry Smith after his crime, just like Truman Capote seemed to. But then there is so much conflict within Truman Capote, does he really like Smith or is he simply using the killers for his book. We empathise with Truman Capote and then suddenly feel challenged whether we should, he lies to Perry Smith so he must be using him. However there seems to be a genuine bond between them so maybe Truman Capote was not simply using him. These kinds of arguments sprung up in my head throughout the film and it is a great element of the film to allow the viewer to connect with the conflict of those on screen.
It is a harrowing story and one which I got more and more drawn in to as the film progressed, I could feel the desperation building up as it did in the life of Truman Capote. All the while my emotions and thoughts were being challenged by the events as they unfolded. As the film concludes with a particularly harrowing scene I was left with a multitude of questions running round my mind.
This is a master class of acting by Phillip Seymour Hoffman, from what I have read he really does become Truman Capote, I hope to see some footage of the talented writer so I can decide for myself. I know this film was excellently constructed because I often find myself evaluating it in my mind almost a week after seeing it. This is a truly gripping, fascinating and amazingly challenging film and one which I can recommend to those seeking a genuinely remarkable movie experience.