Fascinating portrayal of Truman Capote by Philip Seymour Hoffman...

Rating: 8/10 (24 April 2006)

Philip Seymour Hoffman does a remarkable job of bringing to life every gesture and utterance of Truman Capaote without ever verging on caricature. This extraordinarily sensitive tale of the strange relationship between Capote and young Perry Smith is absorbing from start to finish. It does not let Capote off the hook for the way he exploits for his own gain a cold blooded murder that somehow resonates with him because of his own dark past full of mistreatment by an uncaring mother. He gains the trust of Perry Smith but is not always truthful when it comes to some basic issues he withholds from the killers.
Capote, of course, wrote IN COLD BLOOD, and this is the subject of the screenplay which tells how he came to write the tale that forever changed the image of him as just the gin guzzling playboy who wrote BREAKFAST AT TIFFANYS. There are fine performances in all of the supporting roles, particularly Catherine Keener, Chris Cooper, Clifton Collins, Jr. and Mark Pellegrino--but it is the solid central performance of Mr. Hoffman that holds the film together. His final confrontation with the killers as they await their hanging is a good demonstration of just what an extraordinary actor he really is.
Clifton Collins, Jr. cannot be praised highly enough for his Perry Smith and Mark Pellegrino makes a strong impression in the more underwritten role as the other young killer. They both register strongly in their final scene when all appeals have been denied.
Highly recommended, especially for those familiar with the Capote novel that forms the basis for Gerald Clarke's book on which this is based. The ambiguous nature of the Smith/Capote relationship is left up to the viewer, as it should be. The striking cinematography using muted colors is especially effective in creating the right mood for this darkly disturbing story.