Capote (film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Capote

Theatrical release poster
Directed by Bennett Miller
Produced by Caroline Baron
William Vince
Michael Ohoven
Written by Dan Futterman
Based on Capote by
Gerald Clarke
Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman
Catherine Keener
Clifton Collins Jr.
Bruce Greenwood
Mark Pellegrino
Amy Ryan
Chris Cooper
Music by Mychael Danna
Cinematography Adam Kimmel
Editing by Christopher Tellefsen
Studio A-Line Pictures
Copper's Town Productions
Infinity Media
Eagle Vision
Distributed by United Artists
Sony Pictures Classics
Release date(s) September 22, 2005 (2005-09-22) (Telluride)
September 30, 2005 (2005-09-30) (United States)
October 28, 2005 (2005-10-28) (Canada)
Running time 114 minutes
Country Canada
United States
Language English
Budget $7 million[1]
Box office $49,233,161[1]

Capote is a 2005 biographical film about Truman Capote, following the events during the writing of Capote's non-fiction book In Cold Blood. Philip Seymour Hoffman won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his critically acclaimed portrayal of the title role. The movie was based on Gerald Clarke's biography Capote. The movie was filmed mostly in Manitoba[2] in the autumn of 2004. It was released September 30, 2005, to coincide with Truman Capote's 81st birthday.

Contents

[edit] Plot

The film opens in Kansas with the discovery of the dead bodies of four of the members of the Clutter family by a family friend. While reading The New York Times, Truman Capote is riveted by the story of the Clutters and calls The New Yorker editor William Shawn to tell him that he plans to document the tragedy.

He travels to Kansas with his childhood friend Harper Lee. Lee was then in the process of writing To Kill a Mockingbird, which the film refers to several times. Capote sets about interviewing those involved with the victims, the Clutter family, with Lee as his go-between and facilitator. When the murderers are apprehended, Capote is initially brushed off by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's lead detective on the case, Alvin Dewey. Dewey's wife, however, is a fan of Capote's writing and persuades him to invite Capote and Lee to their house for dinner. She is starstruck by Capote's stories of being on movie sets with film stars. Dewey warms up to Capote, which facilitates Capote's visits to the prison where the suspects (Perry Smith and Dick Hickock) are being held. Capote begins to form an attachment to Perry.

Following their trial and conviction, Capote is able to gain access to the murderers by bribing the warden. Capote spends the following years regularly visiting Perry and learning about his life, excepting a year-long stint when Capote abandons Perry and writes the "first three parts" of the book with Jack Dunphy in Morocco and Spain. The story of Perry's life, his upset and remorseful manner, and his emotional sincerity impress Capote. The writer becomes emotionally attached to Perry and feels sympathy for him despite his involvement in the murders. Perry refuses to tell Capote what happened on the night of the murders, which greatly angers the writer. Eventually, Perry tells him in great detail. The story becomes a meditation upon the need for redemption even in very grave circumstances.

The last appeal is rejected, and Perry and Dick are hanged, Perry's hanging being explicitly shown. Truman talks to Harper Lee about the horrifying experience and laments that he could not have done anything to stop it. She replies, "Maybe not; the fact is you didn't want to." This is the last line of the film. The next and last scene shows Truman looking at photos and some of the writings and drawings that Perry gave him.

The film showcases Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of the openly gay Southern author with his weaknesses for fame, alcohol, and attention. Capote became an international figure upon the release of the book In Cold Blood, which he would publish after Smith and Hickock were executed. Hoffman portrays Capote's conflict between personal literary ambitions and trying to maintain his role as a confidant to Perry, one of the two condemned killers.

[edit] Cast

[edit] Production

Capote was in principal photography for 36 days, from October 25, 2004 to December 1, 2004.

[edit] Awards

[edit] Acting awards for Philip Seymour Hoffman

[edit] Critics' awards

[edit] Nominations

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Capote (2005)". boxofficemojo.com. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?page=main&id=capote.htm. Retrieved November 16, 2006. 
  2. ^ Capote (2005) – Filming locations
  3. ^ Source: the fifth estate, segment "The Wrong Man", March 9, 2010, about controversial Manitoba Crown prosecutor George Dangerfield.

[edit] External links

Databases
Reviews, interviews, and more
Films directed by Bennett Miller
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Capote_(film)&oldid=476892445"
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages