Philip Seymour Hoffman gives performance of a lifetime.
Capote is labelled as a biopic based on the life of author Truman Capote, but rather encompassing his entire life and times, the film presents a rather brief period - the writing of 'In Cold Blood' - how Capote gets drawn to a gruesome murder in Kansas, forms an unlikely bond with one of the convicts and uses this friendship as the research basis of the novel.
The star here is Mr. Hoffman, who elevates the every single scene he is in. His transformation is something to behold - his voice and mannerism - Philip Seymour Hoffman deserved every single accolade he got. Apart from him, the film showcases great acting all around - particularly Catherine Keener as Harper Lee and Clifton Collins, Jr. as Perry Smith, one of the convict.
Director Brent Miller's film is rather ponderous and unengaging at times.. The script is probably a weak link here - there is no
narrative structure. The film sometimes appears looking for arc or an conclusion, but never finds one. With a limited scope for a biography, Capote remains focused on dynamics between Perry Smith and the author himself. The relationship is explored over the film's entire duration in a very static manner, with a series of conversations and interviews; the script never goes beyond that. At times, the film feels more like "Making of In Cold Blood" rather than about Capote himself.
Shot in grim tones of grey and washed out colors and appropriately scored by Mychael Danna, Capote is an average film with great performance. Certainly recommended, if only for the brilliant Philip Seymour Hoffman.
3/5
