Capote

Rating: 8/10 (30 June 2009)

I saw clips of this film on TV, and saw the amusing voice the lead actor put on, like an impression of Droopy the Dog, and that coupled with the award nominations was what prompted me to see it. This is the story of homosexual writer Truman Capote (Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe winning Philip Seymour Hoffman), author of the book "Breakfast at Tiffany's", who in 1959 was inspired to write the acclaimed novel "In Cold Blood". Basically a farmhouse in Holcomb, Kansas was broken into by criminals Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr.) and Dick Hickock (Mark Pellegrino), who also murdered the family of four living there. Capote travels to the small town where the murder occurred, with his friend Nelle Harper Lee (Oscar and BAFTA nominated Catherine Keener). He eventually gets to meet the two arrested killers, and as he gets to know them he feels compassion for them, particularly Perry who he forms falls for. Capote also manages to get them a new lawyer, and postpones their execution (hanging) until 1965, and of course a year later he finished the literacy account that would redefine modern non-fiction. Also starring Chris Cooper as Alvin Dewey, Bruce Greenwood as Jack Dunphy, Bob Balaban as William Shawn and Amy Ryan as Marie Dewey. The story is very compelling, the supporting cast work very well, but for me and I'm sure many others it is Hoffman that is what makes this film so watchable. It was nominated the Oscars for Best Motion Picture of the Year, Best Director for Bennett Miller and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay, and it was nominated the BAFTAs for Best Film, Best Adapted Screenplay and the David Lean Award for Direction. Very good!