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Capote
- Review Date: March 19, 2006
- R
- Genre: Drama
- 2005
Common Sense Media says
Fascinating biography, but for adults only.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this mature drama concerns Truman Capote's research into multiple murders in Kansas, 1959, for his book In Cold Blood. It includes images of bloody bodies, crime scene photos, discussions of the means of killing (knife and shotgun), allusions to rape and racist assumptions (before the killers are caught, someone suggests "Mexicans" committed the crime). Characters drink and smoke, at parties, at home, and alone. Capote is flamboyantly gay, discusses gay relationships, discusses sex (including a phone conversation with friend/writer James Baldwin, with references to interracial, interfaith sex), and some cursing (one use of the f-word). Capote tells a story about hearing of his mother's death
What's the story?
CAPOTE follows author Truman Capote as he investigates, researches, and develops the first non-fiction novel – his bestseller In Cold Blood, about the brutal murders of the Clutter family in their Kansas farmhouse. Capote's research, undertaken with the assistance of his friend Harper Lee (Catherine Keener), initiates a relationship with Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent Alvin Dewey (Chris Cooper). Capote's eerie intuition about crime scene details vaguely impresses Dewey, who thought he'd seen it all before this case, but Capote is more in love with his talent than any admirer could be. In order to create a dramatic book, Capote begins a creepy relationship with murderers Perry Smith (Clifton Collins Jr.) and Richard Hickock (Mark Pellegrino). He develops a not-so-long distance relationship with Perry especially, as they develop something like mutual crushes. Capote's self-delusion drives the movie, which reshapes his ambition as a kind of psychic vampirism. He has a story in mind, a shape for his climax, and he's only waiting for it to proceed as he knows it will. Lee sees through Capote's posturing, as does his extremely low-key lover Jack Dunphy (Bruce Greenwood).
Is it any good?
According to the movie, adapted from Gerald Clarke's book by Dan Futterman, Capote is pretty much undone by the experience. A closing note reveals that following the publication of In Cold Blood, Capote became a superstar and never wrote another book. Instead, he essentially drank himself to death, at 59. The film allows glimpses of Capote's struggles with the dilemmas before him -- he self-medicates, resists responsibility for the emotional havoc he's wreaking, won't take Perry's collect calls, and argues with Jack.
Still, he seeks salvation -- or sustained celebrity -- in his dazzling new book. "If I leave here without understanding you," he tells Perry during one of their last meetings, "the world will see you as a monster. I don't want that." But what Capote wants is his story, understanding filtered through his own genius. That story reveals the dangers of journalism in search of authenticity and based in intimacy. It also reveals the monster Capote sees in himself -- or more accurately, the monster the movie sees him seeing.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the question of journalistic ethics. How does Capote develop and then betray a trust with Perry? How does the film make their shared sympathy -- as "outsiders" at once sympathetic and dangerous? How does the movie present the death penalty, as punishment, justice, revenge, and/or object of media sensationalism?
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AGE
Phenomenal, Absolutely Phenomenal
Every single aspect of this glorious film hit the bulls-eye. EVERYTHING!!! Philip Seymour-Hoffman's performance is among the most astounding that I've ever seen; he captures Capote's every mannerism: the high voice, the squinted eyes, every lip lick, it all feels absolutely genuine. Catherine Keener is also notably good as Harper Lee, the author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and Truman's close friend. And I haven't even begun about the story. OH, the story! It takes us through the grueling, emotionally and mentally toiling research for "In Cold Blood," Capote's most famous novel. It (as most know) tells the story of two young men who, without any apparent motive, break into a Kansas farmhouse and murder its four inhabitants. Supposedly the world's first "nonfiction novel," its arrival becomes eagerly awaited. While Truman gathers information for the novel, he becomes somewhat obsessed with one of the killers, Perry, and they develop something of a friendship. The scene where Perry tells Truman the story of the night of the murders is compelling, haunting, and sticks with you for days after viewing. Put simply, you owe it to yourself to see this film. There is a fair quotient of violence (if only briefly), but not much else.
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AGE
Good film
Very good film, not the best, not the worst.
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AGE
kids may not enjoy it, but a great adult movie!
not a kids type of movie, but i really enjoyed it. phillip seymour hoffman rocks! i like his interpretation of truman capote!
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AGE
Phillip Seymour Hoffman is amazing as Truman Capote. I don't know why common sense said "adults only". I'm 15, and I loved it. Not at all as violent as it says. Only one f-word. Its clear that the filmmakers were trying for a pg-13, but ended up with an R because of a very brief, bloody scene towards the end.
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Acting at its peak!
Philip Seymour Hoffman is a tour-de-force in this film...you almost feel what he feels.
The film is a slice of American cultural history and is powerfully presented.
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| Studio: | Sony Pictures Classics |
| Director: | Bennett Miller |
| Cast: | Catherine Keener, Chris Cooper, Philip Seymour Hoffman |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 114 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | September 30, 2005 |
| DVD release date: | March 21, 2006 |
| MPAA rating: | R |
| MPAA explanation: | some violent images and brief strong language |
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