CANFIELD REVIEWS CAPOTE DVD

Truman Capote’s book In Cold Blood was made into a stunning 1967 film. In a case of prescient casting Robert Blake played triggerman Perry Smith with a wounded animal intensity. Smith who was himself somewhat of an aspiring artist- is shown constantly and not without some talent sketching and dreaming of the Las Vegas stage. He becomes a metaphor in the film for the indiscriminate quality that has helped bring the death penalty under baleful eyes in recent history. There’s no question he and Richard Hickock did the deed but something about the nature of the crime, about the nature of Holcomb Kansas itself, renders the idea of two more deaths beside the point. Something important wasn’t wrestled with enough we think, and more importantly, Smith’s small frame dangling from the gallows is too reminiscent of that of a child. Somewhere therein lurks injustice for everyone, including the victim’s families. It’s easy to see what captured Capote’s imagination and what made In Cold Blood a phenomenon.

Of course missing from that film is Capote himself. It would have been almost unthinkable to include him as any sort of major character. Not only was Capote openly gay and extremely effeminate he’d also come through a four year process of researching, writing and publishing a book that ultimately destroyed the very gift used to bring it to life, more importantly it seems to have destroyed the man behind the gift and it is this process that Bennet Miller’s 2006 film puts the lens too. It is simply put a devastating transformation.

This isn’t a biopic in the strict sense. There are fictional events weaved in to Dan Futterman’s screenplay- which is itself adapted from a biography by Gerald Clarke. Capote’s funeral home visit, and of course most of the dialogue. But the film perfectly captures Capote’s slow realization that the only way he could finish the most important project of his life was for the two men to die.

In some sense this film is now old news. But I can’t help but feel a sense of pride when I look on the back of the DVD and see the Chicago Film Critics Association listed as giving Capote Best Actor, and Best Director awards. I myself voted Capote for Best Actor (Hoffman), Best Screenplay and Most Promising Director. It should be noted that Capote is a magnificent looking film as well that gave me a serious run for my money when it came time to vote for Best Cinematography.

It's probably worth noting that Phillip Seymour Hoffman's performance is genuinely the stuff of screen legend. Is there a higher compliment to pay an actor than to acknowledge that their performance seems to create a fully fleshed out human being- one that exists beyond the frame of the camera? Hoffman deserves his academty award but he deserves your attention and thoughtful consideration of the films major themes more- especially given his own track record of choosing risky and interesting films. I know, MI III isn't isn't exactly Shakespeare but his performances in so many other films make his move into more mainstream fare more interesting in light of his continued unwillingness to accept the trappings of celebrity.

The extras on the disc are short but genuinely add value exploring the film’s deep themes and historical significance rather than just providing anecdotal info or over praising Hoffman’s amazing performance. My favorite was Answered Prayers a documentary that explores-using clips of Capote himself- the impact of writing the book. I confess to not having listened to either of the two commentary’s featuring Hoffman, Miller and Cinematographer Adam Kimmel but only because I opted to watch the film again with friends. Rest assured I’ll be getting to them.