The ugly side of aesthetics

Rating: 8/10 (29 March 2006)

On one level the film is about the true story of a highly intelligent author who decides to write about a murder case.
One of several sub themes of the film is "the aesthetic vs. society". It is an old theme: The artist is so fixated on his aesthetics that his activities come into conflict with morality and norms that "normal" people follow. In this film we see how Capote ends up selling his soul.
What makes this film so good is the way this is done. The almost dreadful process is displayed with tender, sensitivity and a sensation of dire awareness.
The film is kind of slow, which will put some people off. This is not a weakness, it is fundamental to convey the unique feeling of the film, which is what I remember second best. What I remember best is Hoffmann's brilliant acting. It should be the other way around, and this is why I can't give the film a top score.