CAPOTE

"I have a title for my book"

Intrigued by the senseless killing of a family in Holcomb, Kansas 1959, writer Truman Capote (Hoffman) decides to base his next article for the New Yorker on the repercussions of the terrible crime. As he and friend Harper Lee (Keener) investigate, the perpetrators are captured and on meeting Perry Smith (Collins Jr.) and Richard Hickock (Pellegrino) Truman realises that he has the chance to get into the mind of a killer. His article turns into the most important novel he has ever written, the first non-fiction book called 'In Cold Blood'.

Truman Capote was one of America's most renowned writers in their history but the man himself is just as fascinating as anything he wrote about.

Famed for his writing of 'Breakfast at Tiffany's', Truman Capote was the darling of New York society, a self proclaimed genius and the man who single-handedly changed the way novels are written. Between 1959 and 1965 he changed however as he happened upon a story that would change his life forever. This was a story that would become his obsession and would be the pivotal event in his career and his life.

The brutal killing of Clutter family by Perry Smith and Richard Hickock shocked the state and then the nation as the revelations about the case come to bear. This also intrigued Truman. At first he saw it as a human reaction story, heading to Holcomb to gage the community's reaction to the killings for an article for the New Yorker but when Smith and Hickock were arrested, his approach changed. He saw the chance to create a new kind of book, the non-fiction novel and over five years he got into the mind of Perry Smith, the mind of a killer.

The film deals with Capote's methods of getting the story. His research and conversations with Perry Smith, shows a side of journalism and writing that was all about the story. Capote's approach was filled with broken promises and lies with Smith and Hickock thinking he was their friend. As the years progressed however, this changed and a bond formed between the writers and killers but the book was always the most important thing in Truman's life.

There are some roles that actors are born to play and for Phillip Seymour Hoffman that part is Truman Capote. Already an accomplished and acclaimed actor, Hoffman is one of the best artists of his generation. Looking and sounding uncannily like the famed author, it is like Hoffman is channelling Capote. His performance is remarkable as he captures all the mannerisms and demeanour of the man that was such a larger than life character and a truly remarkable writer.

Supporting this tour-de-force is an excellent ensemble. Catherine Keener has always been a superb actress and as Harper Lee, Truman's friend, confidant and the writer of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Chris Copper is as good as ever as Holcomb's chief of police Alvin Dewey. It is the breakout performance of Clifton Collins Jr. that captures as much attention as Phillip Seymour Hoffman. As Perry Smith, he creates a character that finally shows his true talents after years as a supporting or bit-part player in many films.

'Capote' shows how far journalists and writers will go for a story and how it can consume their lives. Truman Capote is a fascinating character but not all that likeable. Even though he is using convicted killers for his story, you cannot help be deplore his approach, even though it is a reality of the business. This aside, the truth behind 'In Cold Blood' is an enthralling one and Truman Capote is one of the greatest writers of the modern era, making him an absorbing subject for a movie.

PICTURE & SOUND

The Blu-Ray disc presents the movie in High Definition wide screen 1:85 up to 1080p, with Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround sound, highlighting the excellent cinematography.

BONUS FEATURES

Audio Commentary with Phillip Seymour Hoffman and director Bennett Miller
The man at the helm and his Oscar winning star provide an interesting, if what slow commentary for 'Capote'. The pair reveals how they decided to pace the movie and their approach to the character. With behind the scenes stories about casting, filming and the locations, this is a chatty and informative commentary from the pair.

Audio Commentary with director Bennett Miller and cinematographer Adam Kimmel
In a more technical commentary track, the director and his cameraman reveal how the film was conceived and the look of the movie. Commenting on editing and the structure of the film, the pair also talk about Phillip Seymour Hoffman's performance and his approach to the character.

Featurettes (42.26 mins)
Director Bennett Miller, screenwriter Dan Futterman, director of photography Adam Kimmel, production designer Jess Gonchor, editor Christopher Tellefsen, producers Caroline Baron and William Vince, biographer Gerald Clarke and stars Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Chris Cooper, Clifton Collins Jr. and Catherine Keener take you through the making of 'Capote'. Split into three parts entitled 'Answered Prayers' and 'Making Capote Parts 1 & 2', the featurettes give you an insight into the life of the real Truman Capote, writing the script and the preparation for the movie. We then go behind the scenes of the making of the movie, looking at the key characters in the film and defining the look and feel of the feature.

BD-Live
Place the Blu-Ray disc into an Internet enabled player or PS3 and you can gain access to extra features online.

OVERALL

With two commentary tracks and featurettes that cover most aspects of the film's production, the Blu-Ray package for 'Capote' is good. Fans of the film and the man will be pleased with this package.

BLU-RAY

In Cold Blood

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2006