A tremendous and devastating film

Rating: 9/10 (13 March 2006)

I missed 'Capote' in its initial theatre run but was lucky enough to see it in the brief post-Oscar running that it has been given. Seeing it this afternoon was particularly great since the theatre was empty except for myself and three other people. It felt like a private screening. I found 'Capote' ... devastating and an emptying experience. It was a tremendous film and I feel so lucky to have seen it on the big screen.
As has been noted in countless other reviews and by the many acting awards and accolades 'Capote' has earned him, Phillip Seymour Hoffman was tremendous and a lot of the film's strength is due in part to his performance. He really did become the part and was mesmerizing. His portrayal presents a man who is dedicated to his art, not unlikeable but perhaps not truly likable by the end of the film either, and a man who is by turns flamboyant, eccentric, complex, manipulative and calculating. Phillip Seymour Hoffman is a tour de force and I didn't see a better performance in the past year.
Supporting parts are the characters who often make or break a film and someone who seems to have been over-looked in 'Capote' is Clifton Collins. 'Capote' has four chameleon actors -- Clifton Collins, Bob Balaban, Bruce Greenwood and Phillip Seymour Hoffman who always play very interesting (albeit quite often minor) characters. They are the strength of 'Capote' and their constant professionalism in all roles made 'Capote' an even better film. I hope that his work in particular will bring Clifton Collins some juicier roles in the future. I've been a fan for a while now and the horizon is wide open for him. I should also add quickly that Catherine Keener -- always great to see her! -- is quite good here too. She has the most devastating line in the film when she says "You could have. But you didn't want to." I'll not say anything other than that because I don't want to ruin things for anyone who hasn't yet watched the film.
The ending of the film really struck me. I almost wish they had played the credits at the beginning of the movie, believe it or not. The consequences of Capote's path and actions during the film are thunderous and clearly are destined to haunt him for the rest of his life. The credits would have played well at the beginning because with a final printed statement as epilogue, I think 'Capote' is near to as perfect of a character study as I have seen in a long time. It's silence and abrupt end would have been even more numbing than it already was. 'Capote' is highly recommended.