FemaleFirst.co.uk: DVD: Capote [DVD] [2005]

Capote [DVD] [2005]
enlarge	Director: Bennett Miller Actors: Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Allie Mickelson, Marshall Bell, Araby Lockhart, Robert Huculak Studio: Uca Category: DVD List Price: ~~£9.99~~ Buy New: £2.33 as of 24/11/2009 10:13 GMT details You Save: £7.66 (77%) New (19) Used (11) from £1.45 Seller: twentyfiveorless Rating: 1 reviews Sales Rank: 6114 Format: PAL Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over Region: 2 Number Of Discs: 1 Running Time: 114 Minutes Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2 Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6 EAN: 5050582610222 ASIN: B001Q94TK6 Theatrical Release Date: 2005 Release Date: March 2, 2009 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days


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Customer Reviews: 'Capote' not 'Infamous' July 25, 2009 Vitamino (London) 2 out of 4 found this review helpful There were two films about Truman Capote that were released in fairly quick succession. The first was this one - 'Capote', in 2005, followed by 'Infamous' a few months later in 2006. Both attempted to cover Truman's preparations for the writing of his hugely successful 'factual' novel 'In Cold Blood'. br / br /Both tread the same path more or less, and even share the occasional line of dialogue. Comparisons between the two neatly highlight their strengths and weaknesses and this review may help to indicate which type of Capote 'reader' you are. What do you want from a film about T.C.? br / br /It's easier to start with 'Infamous', curiously subtitled 'The Life Of Truman Capote' (which it certainly isn't). 'Infamous' is the one with the 'all star cast'. There's no doubt that Toby Jones makes an uncanny job of portraying T.C. but he's just a bit too overblown. Capote was certainly flamboyant but even he would not have worn some of the more outrageous costumes that are seen in that film. Toby's Truman is a slightly Disney version of the man. At one point he appears wearing an outfit that makes him look like a dwarf cowboy. This isn't right. Most of his contemporaries described him as extrovert but stylish. Not ridiculous. br / br /The all-star cast in 'Infamous' is actually something of a distraction. Gwyneth Paltrow appears very briefly (and surely miming) as a torch singer. Why is she even there? As a lead actor you expect something else and then she's gone. Sigourney Weaver looks singularly as out of place and Sandra Bullock as Harper Lee? Well that's just plain wrong. She just can't pull it off. There's also a pre-Bond Daniel Craig playing murderer Perry Smith. With a somewhat laboured gruff voice and strangely plucked eyebrows he just ain't right. Perhaps a mistaken casting decision based on his ability to play unhinged characters. Who knows? As the film progresses these little bits of duff casting jolt the viewer back to realising they're just watching a film. Disastrous. br / br /'Infamous' is also described as being based on George Plimpton's book 'Truman Capote' which is a bit silly for two reasons. Plimpton's book covers all of Capote's life (which the film does not) and despite this claim the film shows little of the insight we gain from Plimpton's book. Yes, the film does trot out some of Truman's more famous bon mots but if you are a fan these will just make you groan a bit. It's a bit 'T.C. by numbers'. br / br /The film 'Capote' however, has just the one big name and he won an Oscar for his performance. Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal is both restrained and considered. He clearly read an awful lot about Truman and the depth he lends to this performance is both chilling and moving. He understands Capote's razor sharp social skills and the methods he used to get what he wanted. This is a T.C. you can believe in. br / br /Wardrobe also went to some pains to discover exactly what Capote wore and this is indicative of the commitment displayed by all who worked on this remarkable project. br / br /Catherine Keener makes a truly fine Harper Lee and her relationship with Seymour's Capote is spot on. You really know that they've always been close. Theirs is a true friendship, warts and all and unlike Sandra Bullock, Keener doesn't wear a silly wig. br / br /There's also a superb choice for the role of Perry Smith. Clifton Collins Jr turns in a brilliant performance and as this film centres on the relationship between Truman and Smith, his part in the film is absolutely crucial. The moments between this unlikely pair are handled skilfully and never sink to the totally unbelievable scenes between Toby Jones and Daniel Craig. br / br /The look of 'Capote' is similarly classy. Its cinematography far outshines that of `Infamous' (and presumably on a far smaller budget). We believe this is Holcombe; this is Kansas in the late 1950's. br / br /While 'Capote' reaches its 'impact moments' through sheer strength of acting and a fine script, 'Infamous' instead relies on Perry snogging Truman and similarly clumsy events. While Toby Jones' performance is without a doubt a sterling effort, he can't hold 'Infamous' on his own. With Philip Seymour Hoffman's superb efforts and the truly empathic understanding of director Bennett Miller, 'Capote' is the film which will stand the test of time. br / br /'Capote' is a really great film and whilst the award of an Oscar doesn't necessarily denote a fine performance, in this case it truly does. Whilst not perfect this film just may, as it did in my case, have you reaching for 'In Cold Blood' again. It does what it's supposed to do. It's compelling, revealing, shocking and utterly memorable. What more could anyone ask? br / br /

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