Hoffman makes the film worth seeing, even if the screenplay drags a little...

Rating: 6/10 (10 February 2006)

Before I review this film, I have to say that I might have a unique perspective (or bias) on the subject of this film. Though I have never read "In Cold Blood", I have seen the movie and read portions of manuscripts by Capote relating to his research of the subject matter. I have also seen him interviewed at length during the latter portions of his life by numerous journalists and television hosts. Many people who see this film probably never saw Capote in life nor really knew anything about him other than what they might have learned in secondary school or college.
From this writer's perspective, Truman Capote was probably one of the most tortured and yet simultaneously brilliant writers who lived in the 20th century. His public and social arrogance was a shield for his insecurity and confusion (emotional, sexual, and otherwise) created by his pretty tough early upbringing in the South. Unlike many of the relatively cartoonish cinematic portrayal of historic figures we have seen in recent years, I believe that Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Truman Capote is every bit as good a portrayal of a historic figure that I have seen in quite a few years, given the limitations of the script with which he is presented.
I think the film, Capote, as directed by Bennett Miller, is best described as a vignette-style docudrama. It is designed to capture the intense intellectual probing, unscrupulous but effective manipulation of the criminals depicted in "In Cold Blood", and the ultimate inability of Mr. Capote to exculpate himself from the very manipulation of these convicts (particularly the Perry Smith character played by Clifton Collins) that he transforms into personal success through his ultimately best-selling novel. I believe Mr. Hoffman captured the essence of Capote's self-absorption both with his work and with his ego about as well as anyone is capable of doing. It is certainly an Oscar-worthy performance, whether he wins or not.
As for the rest of the film, unless one is truly interested in the characterizations of Capote, "To Kill a Mockingbird" author Harper Lee (Cathleen Keener) and partner Jack Dunphy (played by Bruce Greenwood), the film might drag for some not interested in the workings of the main character in this film. Chris Cooper (who has been busy this year in things like Syriana) is quite competent as KBI investigator Alvin Dewey. The rest of the cast certainly fit the historical period and the mood of the film. I tend to fall into the camp that believes Dan Futterman's screenplay does drag in the less intense sequences, but in the most important interactions between Capote, his close associates, and the convicts, this screenplay works very well.
Having seen this film, I now want to read both "In Cold Blood" and Gerald Clark's biography. If one understands that this film is not a doctrinaire commercial historical drama and that the film is designed specifically to highlight the perspectives, actions, and emotions of Truman Capote, then one should see this film. It is not a masterpiece by any means, but its lead actor is quite masterful in the lead role. I will give this film a 6 (which is quite generous for me).