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| Movie Review: Capote Alternate Title: What's the Matter With Kansas?
Story: The 1959 murders of four
members of the Kansas Clutter family not only riveted the nation, but
ultimately changed the nature of non-fiction work thanks to the brilliance
of Truman Capote. This must-see film chronicles Capote's fascination
with the case that started as an article for the New Yorker Magazine
but ended up as the seminal non-fiction novel 'In Cold Blood'. The film is based on the novel by Gerald
Clark and marvelously scripted by Dan Futterman
( you might remember him as the brother in TV's Judging Amy). First
time director Bennett Miller does an exemplary job
of letting talent and drama take the lead. How and why Capote got involved in this real
life story after writing fluff like Breakfast at Tiffany's
is the core of this film. How art changed his raconteur life, why he
never was the same after this event, and what effect this novel had
on the world of literature is something that lovers of film and books
should not miss. Acting: Philip Seymour Hoffman is
more than terrific. The character of Truman Capote could so easily have
played as cartoon but his talent would not allow that to happen. He
became Truman Capote and gave this film grace. A fine ensemble cast
with Catherine Keener as Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird),
Chris Cooper as the Kansas investigator, Bruce
Greenwood as Jack Dunphy, Capote's boyfriend and Clifton
Collins, Jr. as Perry Smith, one of the murderers.
Predilection: I liked the book In Cold Blood.
Theater Audience: A pretty crowded house.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I only drifted when I remembered how
I felt when I drove across country in 1966 shortly after reading In
Cold Blood. I could not sleep in Kansas and was wary the whole
time.
Oscar Worthy: I hear Oscar for Hoffman and perhaps
for this terrific screenplay.
Big Screen or Rental: Hoffman's performance warrants
the big screen as soon as possible. For some of his other performance,
try renting: Cold Mountain, ,25th Hour, Punch-Drunk Love, Almost Famous,
State and Main, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Magnolia, Flawless, Happiness,
The Big Lebowski, Next Stop Wonderland and Boogie Nights.
Length: 100 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 9
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