An eerie insight into Truman Capote and the circumstances surrounding his novel, "In Cold Blood", starring an unforgettable Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Rating: 9/10 (9 October 2006)

Alright, unless you've been orbiting earth in the space-station, you'll be aware of Philip Seymour Hoffman's multi-award winning performance as Truman Capote. And this film is worth seeing for this performance alone, even if it had nothing else to offer you.
But it does have more to offer - a lot more, in fact.
Let's get Hoffman's performance out of the way first, though. Not to dismiss it, but to laud it because it is the most significant factor of the film. Of course, I've never met Capote, and never seen him in the media, at least not that I recall. Hoffman creates a multi-faceted character - at times sweet and endearing, at times cold, calculating (even ruthless), and always "theatrically flamboyant" if you catch my drift. Hoffman portrays Capote's foray into regional Kansas, where you could safely assume they had never seen anyone quite like him, with bravery, humour and courage all rolled into one effete identity. Truly outstanding. If Capote was indeed like this, what an interesting personality he must have been.
The guts of the film revolves around Capote's desire to re-establish himself as America's foremost novelist. It seems there was a significant drought following "Breakfast at Tiffany's", and his creative juices are set flowing when he reads of a multiple homicide in Kansas. His idea is to create a factual novel woven around this horror, and he recognises that if he does it well enough, it will be an icon of literature. He has confidence that he is the writer to do just that.
The significance of the title of the resultant book, "In Cold Blood" is cleverly presented to the viewer as not only the original crime, but also Capote's naked ambition to use the jailed murderers to his own ends.
The other actors in this quality film shouldn't be overlooked, even though Hoffman is in almost every scene. Chris Cooper is great as a weary law enforcement officer trying desperately to arrest the killers of his small-town neighbours and friends. Catherine Keener plays the soon-to-be-famous author Harper Lee with refreshing candour and the inquisitiveness one would expect of the character. And watch out for Clifton Collins Jr as Perry Smith, one of the captured murderers, and the one from whom Capote draws much of the information about the terrible events at the lonely farmhouse. Collins presents the character in almost overwhelming sadness, together with a chilling, bitter side.
The director, Bennett Miller has done a creditable job of weaving this tale together, and the cinematography easily copes with the lonely murder scene, the depressing jail environment, as well as Capote's social scene in New York City.
This movie isn't for the faint-hearted, however those who choose to view it will be rewarded with several excellent performances (including Hoffman's superlative portrayal of Capote) and a rich and compelling story line. Don't miss it.