Infamous (2006)

While researching his book In Cold Blood, writer Truman Capote develops a close relationship with convicted murderers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith.

Director:

Douglas McGrath

Writers:

Douglas McGrath (screenplay), George Plimpton (book)

Stars:

Sigourney Weaver, Toby Jones, Sandra Bullock

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sigourney Weaver	...	Babe Paley
Toby Jones	...	Truman Capote
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Kitty Dean
Sandra Bullock	...	Nelle Harper Lee
Isabella Rossellini	...	Marella Agnelli
Peter Bogdanovich	...	Bennett Cerf
Rey Arteaga	...	El Morocco Band
Jeff Daniels	...	Alvin Dewey
Daniel Craig	...	Perry Smith
Justin Sherburn	...	El Morocco Band
Andrew Halbreich	...	El Morocco Band
Juliet Stevenson	...	Diana Vreeland
Michael Panes	...	Gore Vidal
Hope Davis	...	Slim Keith
Frank G. Curcio	...	William Shawn (as Frank Curcio)

Storyline

On November 16, 1959, Truman Capote reads about the murder of a Kansas family. There are no suspects. With Harper Lee, he visits the town: he wants to write about their response. First he must get locals to talk, then, after arrests, he must gain access to the prisoners. One talks constantly; the other, Perry Smith, says little. Capote is implacable, wanting the story, believing this book will establish a new form of reportage: he must figure out what Perry wants. Their relationship becomes something more than writer and character: Perry killed in cold blood, the state will execute him in cold blood; does Capote get his story through cold calculation, or is there a price for him to pay?

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Plot Keywords:

blood | writer | book | cold calculation | murder | 

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Taglines:

There's more to the story than you know

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violence and some sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Warner Bros. [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 November 2006 (Israel)

Also Known As:

Every Word Is True

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$13,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$452,966 (USA) (13 October 2006)

Gross:

$1,150,403 (USA) (15 December 2006)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Warner Independent Pictures (WIP), Killer Films, Jack and Henry Productions Inc.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min 118 min 118 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mark Wahlberg was originally attached to play Perry Smith, but dropped out in August, 2004. He was replaced in October, 2004 by Mark Ruffalo until he dropped out as well.

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Goofs

Perry is depicted as being substantially taller than Truman when in reality they were roughly the same height. This may have been done purposely to give Perry a more intimidating presence next to the frailness of Capote.

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Quotes

D.A.'s Secretary: I'm sorry. The D.A. doesn't take calls from strange women.
Truman Capote: Who says I'm strange?

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Connections

References Beat the Devil (1953)

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Soundtracks

"Broken-Hearted Melody"
Written by Hal David and Sherman Edwards
Performed by Sarah Vaughan
Courtesy of The Verve Music Group
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

A Third Powerful Look at the Murder of the Clutter Family

Truman Capote may be unique among recent celebrities to have two excellent films made about his life. Just a year after Phillip Seymour Hoffman's mesmerizing performance in "Capote," Toby Jones does a fine, if more expected, impersonation of the author of "In Cold Blood" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's." With the razor sharp wit and effete mannerisms more focused than they were in "Capote," Jones, in Douglas McGrath's "Infamous," is a more vulnerable Truman and is unquestionably in love with one of the Clutter family killers, Perry Smith. Although ostensibly a drama, "Infamous" is replete with Capote's celebrated wit, and the one-liners, which are often sexual in nature, are welcome relief from the heavier scenes.

However, "Infamous" is at heart a love story, or rather two, love stories. The first romance is between Truman Capote and his coterie of largely female socialite friends, with whom he gossips and parties and self adulates. The second, much deeper love story, between Capote and Smith, begins as Capote explores Smith's background and family history. Although their relationship, which the film implies was more than platonic, develops within the confines of prison, the two men connect through similar personal tragedies in their childhoods. Smith, well played by Daniel Craig, was at least bisexual or even gay, according to McGrath's screenplay. Although a subliminal connection between the two killers was suggested in both the films "In Cold Blood" and "Capote," in this film Dick Hickock, Smith's partner in the Clutter killings, recognizes Perry's orientation and taunts him with it.

Although a bevy of well-known performers threatens to undercut the realism of the drama with a game of "isn't that so and so?," the acting rises above star cameos and blends seamlessly into the whole. In fact, the familiar faces aid in maintaining recognition of the parade of celebrities, such as Babs Paley, Gore Vidal, and Harper Lee that surrounded Capote in life. Borrowing a technique from Warren Beatty's "Reds," McGrath effectively uses witnesses that talk to the camera about Truman as though being interviewed at some later date. Surprisingly, these interview segments do not interrupt the flow of the drama and enhance rather than detract from the film's power.

And powerful it is. Although the execution scenes have been filmed twice before, Truman's parting from the killers and the actual hangings remain almost unbearable to watch. Although two films have preceded this one and related essentially the same story, "Infamous" stands as a worthy addition to what is now a trilogy on the Clutter family murders (1967's "In Cold Blood," 2005's "Capote," 2006's "Infamous"). Surprisingly, each film is equally engrossing and brings its own viewpoint to the story. Like different facets of a prism or a three-film version of "Rashomon," the tale of Truman Capote's reportage of the murders retains its fascination and the enigma of Capote's relationship with the killers. Rarely have three such powerful, outstanding films been made from the same subject matter.