Otto von Bismarck once expressed his contempt for parliamentary democracy by comparing the lofty constitutions and laws enacted by parliaments to sausages, remarking that even the most delicious sausage becomes unappetising once one is familiar with the process of its production. Cynics might say something similar after watching Capote, Bennett Miller's 2005 that deals with the creation of one of the most acclaimed and significant works of American literature in 20th Century.
The film begins with Truman Capote (played by Philip Seymour Hoffman), a renowned American writer, becoming fixated on a news report about the brutal massacre of Clutters, a prominent farming family, in Kansas in late 1959. Capote travels to Kansas, initially intending to write a news article how the local community is coping with the crime. However, as the investigation progresses and the suspects are arrested, Capote becomes captivated by one of them, particularly the disabled Perry Smith (played by Clifton Collins Jr.). Seeking to extract as much information as possible about their lives and potential motives, Capote befriends the murderer and even finances his lawyers in an effort to prevent his execution. This process, which culminates in the acclaimed book In Cold Blood, takes years and has severe consequences for Capote's mental health.
For viewers unfamiliar with the book, which in 1967 was adapted into acclaimed black-and-white film starring Robert Blake, Capote is primarily known for Philip Seymour Hoffman's Oscar-winning performance in the title role. Upon watching the film, it becomes apparent that the screenplay by Dan Futterman and the direction by Bennett Miller are subordinated to the goal of securing Hoffman's award. Hoffman's transformation into one of America's most famous eccentrics is indeed brilliant, but it is not enough to elevate the weak plot or compensate for the shortcomings of Miller's direction. The film is marked by a monotonous depiction of gloomy provincial landscapes and their impact on the protagonist's mood. Even Capote's notorious homosexuality, heavily promoted in 2005 as the main asset of the Oscar campaign in ultra-progressive Hollywood, is relegated to a biographical footnote in this film. Bruce Greenwood, who plays Capote's lover , comes across as a non-descript part of the furniture.
The film's primary focus on Hoffman's performance detracts from the broader themes of the book, which explores the complexities of human nature and the moral implications of Capote's actions. The film's portrayal of Capote's relationship with Perry Smith and the other suspects lacks depth, and the exploration of their motivations and backgrounds is superficial. Moreover, the film fails to capture the nuance and subtlety of Capote's writing style, which is essential to understanding his unique approach to investigative journalism.
Capote is a fascinating but flawed film that struggles to do justice to the complexities of its subject matter.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
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