Capote: Grade A

A

Capote

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener

Biography of Truman Capote during the 5 years or so when he wrote In Cold Blood. Hoffman inhabits the character, as is clear from the DVD extras showing original footage of Capote. The “plot” is very subtle, how Capote cold-bloodedly exploited the feelings of the killers in order to write his book, so there is not much going on except talking heads. It’s a weak “A.” It would have been a better picture if they had focused on the real drama, Capote’s crisis of conscience after the book. But the quality of the acting is so compelling that it keeps you riveted. Great 1950s-60s sets and costumes. Keener does a good job but is subordinated to Hoffman.