Capote

Capote
By the bark, you dummies! By the bark!

2005 GOLDEN MUGS

WINNER:

Best Actor (Philip Seymour-Hoffman)
Best Adapted Screenplay (Dan Futterman-screenplay, Gerald Clark-novel)

NOMINEE:

Best Picture
Best Director (Bennett Miller)
Best Film Editing (Christopher Tellefsen)

Theatrical Release Date: 09/30/2005
Director: Bennett Miller
Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Clifton Collins Jr., Chris Cooper, Catherine Keener

First up in this year’s award season is Bennett Miller’s “Capote”. The movie depicts Truman Capote’s writing of “In Cold Blood”, which dealt with the murder of a family in Kansas. Capote became fascinated with the murderers and dedicated over 4 years of his life to writing and publishing the book.

Philip Seymour Hoffman portrays Capote and I think it’s safe to say that he will be nominated for the upcoming Academy Awards. Relegated almost exclusively to supporting roles, aside from his amazing performance in “Love Liza”, Hoffman is given another opportunity here to show why he is one of the best actors in Hollywood. His ability to fade into the persona of Capote is stunning.

Clifton Collins Jr. plays Perry Smith, who is accused of taking part in the murders. The old adage that acting is a give and take relationship is on full display here. Hoffman and Collins create a palpable tension between each other more intense than any other film so far this year.

Chris Cooper and Catherine Keener also provide excellent supporting roles. Their ability to humanize the picture helps frame the odd and haunting relationship that develops between Capote and Smith.

While “Jarhead” did not live up to the hype, “Capote” did and more. Probably the first of a few 5 out of fives coming over the next few months as all the supercharged powerhouse award films are released, “Capote” is a must see for anyone who enjoys fine acting, a good script and excellent direction.

Save that glass of champagne for Oscar night, you might be toasting Hoffman’s long overdue win.

6 Responses to “ Capote ”

Comments:

Powersurgeon says:
October 3rd, 2008 at 11:25 am

Having just completed reading IN COLD BLOOD, I decided to check this film out. Frankly, I can’t believe you gave this film a 5. It deserved a 1, at best.

I wouldn’t use the word ‘POWERHOUSE’ to describe this movie, unless you followed it with the words ‘OF TRIPE’. Seriously, every cliche from any other biopic was in this movie.

The acting was terrible, but that’s probably a by product of the awful script. It dragged! Oh how it dragged…what scriptwriters idea was it to spend five minutes having PSH reading from the book? Why doesn’t the person watching the movie just go read the book? (It’s one of the best books I ever read, plus they can avoid the nasal whine from PSH). At one point I thought the movie was written by George Lucas, because none of the characters show any emotion during the film, and when they do, they tell you the emotion they are feeling –”I’m sad”. You know what PSH? Me too.

Ian Forbes says:
October 3rd, 2008 at 9:27 pm

Eh … that’s your opinion.

Powersurgeon says:
October 7th, 2008 at 9:21 am

I had to come here again and write another review because this movie is so gratingly awful that it makes me angry. AVOID this movie like it was DISASTER MOVIE. Because, in a manner of speaking, it is.

Ian Forbes says:
October 7th, 2008 at 10:49 pm

Try watching “Infamous” and comparing that one too … either it’s going to calm you down or turn you into the Hulk … not so bad either way, right?