Film Review: Capote (2005) B+

Date Viewed: 6/6/06
Venue: DVD

The first time I heard Phillip Seymour Hoffman’s annoying little ‘Capote voice,’ I was immediately turned off to this biopic of the famous author. However, something funny happened. I got used to it. I didn’t feel the involuntary urge to slug Capote anymore. What caused this reversal? Well, Hoffman’s performance isn’t just about a funny voice or accent, it the way he walks, the way he turns his head, the way he sits. It’s all encompassing.

We follow Capote and good friend Harper Lee (Catherine Keener) to rural Kansas to investigate a ghastly quadruple homicide for a New Yorker piece. The pair immense themselves in the locals’ grief and Capote charms his way around, collecting information. Eventually, the murderers are arrested, and Capote manages to get access to them, as well.

The tale continues on, spanning several years as Capote’s magazine piece expands into his legendary tome, In Cold Blood. Along the way, he schmoozes and charms to gain more access, more information, from the killers. With this comes conflicted guilt, Capote knows he’s used people for his own ends.

It’s an interesting character study, focusing intently on a sequence of events in Capote’s life that would change him forever rather than going for a more traditional ‘life story.’ Doing it this way allows added depth and weight for the supporting characters and their stories.

Much credit must be given to director Bennett Miller for guiding the story with efficient and simple grace. And Hoffman really earned his Academy Award. Capote is not the most sympathetic character put to film, but Hoffman anchors our attention with a complex and riveting performance.