Capote (2005)

Truman Capote, during his research for his book In Cold Blood, an account of the murder of a Kansas family, the writer develops a close relationship with Perry Smith, one of the killers.

Director:

Bennett Miller

Writers:

Dan Futterman (screenplay), Gerald Clarke (book)

Stars:

Allie Mickelson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener

Won 1 Oscar. Another 54 wins & 46 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Allie Mickelson	...	Laura Kinney
Kelci Stephenson	...	Nancy Clutter
Philip Seymour Hoffman	...	Truman Capote
Craig Archibald	...	Christopher
Bronwen Coleman	...	Barbara
Kate Shindle	...	Rose
David Wilson Barnes	...	Grayson
Michael J. Burg	...	Williams (as Michael J. Berg)
Catherine Keener	...	Nelle Harper Lee
Kwesi Ameyaw	...	Porter
Andrew Farago	...	Car Rental Agent
Ken Krotowich	...	Courthouse Guard
Chris Cooper	...	Alvin Dewey
R.D. Reid	...	Roy Church
Rob McLaughlin	...	Harold Nye (as Robert Mclaughlin)

Storyline

In 1959, Truman Capote, a popular writer for The New Yorker, learns about the horrific and senseless murder of a family of four in Holcomb, Kansas. Inspired by the story material, Capote and his partner, Harper Lee, travel to the town to research for an article. However, as Capote digs deeper into the story, he is inspired to expand the project into what would be his greatest work, In Cold Blood. To that end, he arranges extensive interviews with the prisoners, especially with Perry Smith, a quiet and articulate man with a troubled history. As he works on his book, Capote feels some compassion for Perry which in part prompts him to help the prisoners to some degree. However, that feeling deeply conflicts with his need for closure for his book which only an execution can provide. That conflict and the mixed motives for both interviewer and subject make for a troubling experience that would produce an literary account that would redefine modern non-fiction.

---

Plot Keywords:

book | writer | kansas | truman capote | friend | 

---

Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violent images and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Gaumont Columbia Tristar [fr] Sony Classics [us]

Country:

USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 February 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Truman Capote

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$181,319 (Brazil) (3 March 2006)

Gross:

$28,747,570 (USA) (21 April 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Pictures Classics, A-Line Pictures, Cooper's Town Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min 110 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Philip Seymour Hoffman lost 40 pounds for his role.

---

Goofs

When Harper Lee is driving in the rental blue car when she and Capote first arrive in Kansas, there is a Chevy sticker on the driver's side bottom window. Later, it is gone.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Laura Kinney: Hello? Nancy?

---

Connections

Referenced in Joey: Joey and the Actors Studio (2006)

---

Soundtracks

"Easy to Remember"
(1935)
Music by Richard Rodgers
Lyricss by Lorenz Hart
Performed by John Coltrane
Courtesy of Verve Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

The Manipulation Of A Master Manipulator

Beautifully told, masterfully performed, harrowing, amusing, cruel, moving. A sensational achievement. I sat there disturbed and transfixed. Witnessing the impossible. Truman Capote with the mask, without the mask. The same man, different men, all men, no man. The creature at work, thinking of work, planning his work, working his work, wheeling an dealing. Living his life, life as work, work as life. An ego bigger than his talent and all talent and no ego. Feeling without feeling. Cunning, innocent, blasphemous, a child, a monumental son of a bitch. Philip Seymour Hoffman surprising us again. Charles Laughton I thought. What a thought! Charles Laughton 2005. That kind of talent that kind of boldness and brains. Everything and everyone in "Capote" seem to be. To be totally. I've never seen a photograph of Harper Lee but I imagine her just like Catherine Keener. The film is a miracle of sorts. I can't wait to see it again.