Capote

A movie i have been meaning ton watch for a long time, and now that i have seen it, I'm annoyed with myself for not watching it soon, not just for the great subject matter and story but mostly for the performance of Phillip Seymour Hoffman as the celebrated writer Truman Capote.

This movie recounts the true story of how Truman Capote, celebrated author of short stories, plays and novels, as he begins investigating the brutal murder of The Clutter Family in 1959's Kansas.
The movie first shows us Capote as the life and soul of the party in New York, recounting tales and entertaining all.
But upon reading of the shocking murder of a family of 4 in the small town of Holcomb, Texas he decides to go and investigate for the New York Times with fellow author Nelle Harper Lee. He soon becomes deeply involved with the killers, and befriends one in particular, Perry Smith, and soon struggles to understand how the seemingly erudite, sensitive Perry could have committed such a terrible crime.

The investigation soon becomes the subject of Capote's new book, a revolutionary new style of true life novel. He spends as much time as possible, to the detriment of his other relationships, with Perry. But with all the time spent with Perry still doesn't get him the story of the night of the murders, which he needs for the book to be a success.

His growing obsession leads him to try and help with the murderers appeal but ultimately fails.
Unlike the book the movie focuses on the relationship between Perry and Capote and the contradictory feelings he develops that seem to torment Capote throughout his research for the book. knowing that he cannot finish the book until the men are hanged seems to further his anguish
The movie is all about Seymour Hoffman's performance, capturing all that made Truman Capote unique. The uncanny performance not only captures the unique voice  and mannerisms but he seems to inhabit the mans sole  and express every emotion and feeling that Capote must have felt throughout without falling into caricature!!

Capote: "Ever since i was a child, folks have thought they had me pegged,

because of the way i am, the way i talk.

And they are always wrong!"

Thankfully Seymour Hoffman's performance is not the only jewel in the crown of this magnificent movie.
The Script, directing and solid supporting performances all help to make this a movie that is fascinating, touching and utterly compelling.

9/10