"CAPOTE" holds its own.

Rating: 10/10 (8 February 2006)

From the acting and directing, to the writing and music, CAPOTE grabbed me in a way few films have. Set around the brutal 1959 killings of the Clutter family of Kansas, the film follows the eclectic author Truman Capote (Philip Seymour Hoffman) as he researches and writes his best-selling masterpiece "In Cold Blood." The gem here is Hoffman. He completely becomes Truman Capote, from the way he speaks and walks, right down to the way he smokes his cigarette. Towering above his costars, Hoffman shows the audience a human side of the famous raconteur that few knew about. His scenes with the brilliant Catherine Keener (Harper Lee) are electric, as well as the relationship we see develop before our eyes between Capote and Perry Smith. The finest bit of support comes from Clifton Collins, Jr. As convicted killer Perry Smith, Collins brings the audience into his world of intrigue and sadness, only to rip our hearts out during his confession. The confession scene (between Capote and Smith)shook my emotions and mind to the bone, forcing me to tears. Finally, I have to comment on the duo of Bennett Miller and Dan Futterman. Two relative unknowns, Miller (director) and Futterman (writer), capture the essence of the mind of Truman Capote, and they allow the audience to feel his sorrow and guilt. Miller's pacing and camera work is unbelievable, while Futterman's words let the characters grow in numerous directions. This film is destined for greatness. From the cast to the crew, CAPOTE captures everything I was expecting from the hype. Its five Oscar nominations are definitely worth it (they should have had more!!). This film proves that new talent and a small budget can reap great rewards as well as reach artistic perfection.