Hoffman's Incredible Performance Carries Capote

Rating: 8/10 (6 May 2006)

It seems that biopics are the new fad for the Oscars. Last year, four of the five nominees were biopics. This year, only two managed to make the cut. Good Night and Good Luck was a solid history lesson, so it set the tone that I expected from the other option, Capote. Seeing as, prior to this movie, I was unaware a man named Truman Capote even existed (and even less aware that Capote was pronounced 'ka-po-tee' and note 'ka-pote'), I was seeing this as a film, not for education or because I happened to love the book or anything like that. Even from that perspective, Capote is one hell of a powerful film in its final act.
For those who are as unfamiliar with the subject matter as I am, a little background is required. Truman Capote (Hoffman) is a best-selling author best known for Breakfast at Tiffany's. He is now writing articles for newspapers, currently researching a quadruple homicide in Kansas. With the help of childhood friend Harper Lee (Keener), he goes to the town and acquaints himself with police chief Alvin Dewey (Cooper) to find out everything he can. After consideration, he decides to make a new novel instead of simply an article as the killing fascinates him.
Once the killers are caught, Capote manages to secure interviews with them. He becomes intrigued by Perry Smith (Collins), an articulate and artistic soul who committed this apparently motiveless crime. In order to squeeze the whole story out of him, Capote buys himself more time by buying better lawyers for the killers. This leaves Capote with an internal struggle. He becomes attached to Smith, yet cannot complete his novel until the two are executed.
It is in this problem that the true villainy of Capote is shown. He is willing to see this man whom he has come to love on a deep level be executed for the simple purpose of finishing his work. Sure, he lies to himself constantly, but he is always putting himself first and essentially destroys himself with his egotistical obsession.
Had the movie been fictionalized, the role of Capote would have been difficult enough. However, since Capote was a very famous figure, the role would seem to be downright impossible to pull off. Lo and behold, Phillip Seymour Hoffman is absolutely stunning. From a dramatic perspective, he is incredible at showing the intense emotions that Capote feels in the end. After viewing a brief featurette, it is also obvious that he absolutely perfects the vocal patterns and mannerisms of Capote. He isn't Phillip Seymour Hoffman, he is truly Truman Capote, and it is one of the best performances I have ever witnessed.
Also worth mentioning in an outstanding supporting performance is Clifton Collins Jr. as Perry Smith. He is simultaneously chilling and sympathetic as the killer who had potential for much better. The scene where he finally describes the murders to Capote is among the most powerful I have seen recently, mostly thanks to Collins' unemotional narration. It is a shame that he was snubbed for a nomination that was given to William Hurt, who may have been great, but was not nearly as memorable. While on that topic, it is also a shame that Catherine Keener was nominated. While she was good, she was not given enough material to be nomination-worthy, and that nomination should have gone to Thandie Newton for Crash.
The main problem with the movie is that, for the first half anyways, it is quite dull. Sure, Hoffman is still great, but the movie just can't hold interest while Capote investigates the town. It does become more interesting once the killers are caught and Capote starts involving himself with Perry Smith, but it doesn't really kick into gear until Capote starts becoming anxious for the execution. This is more of a payoff movie, as it never really sinks in how good it is until the end.
As stated above, the payoff for the movie is near downright incredible. The last forty minutes of the movie are incredibly powerful and make this one an easy recommendation for those who can appreciate dramas. Extremely strong performances from Collins and especially Hoffman definitely make the movie much more than simply another biopic. Capote is not quite a must see like Brokeback Mountain or Crash, but it is certainly one that you shouldn't walk away from disappointed.
Overall Rating - 86%