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Capote
An extraordinary performance by Phillip Seymour Hoffman that earned him an Oscar for Best Actor is the heart of the 2005 biopic Capote, which is not a biopic in the true sense of the genre, but is an often cringeworthy look at Capote's passion about his most famous work.

This is, of course the story of the world famous author who learns of an entire family being murdered in Kansas and decides he wants to write an article about for the New Yorker, but upon learning what happened and the relationship he develops with Perry Smith, one of the men sentenced to Death Row for the crime, decides instead of writing a magazine article that he wants to write a non-fiction novel about the crime that eventually became known as "In Cold Blood."

Dan Futterman, who played Robin Williams' son in The Birdcage is actually the co-screenwriter on this film, which is not the birth to death chronicle the title implies, but a look at a particular period in Capote's life. In fact, the only period of Capote's life that filmmakers seem to think we care about. In Cold Blood is not the only thing Capote wrote. Breakfast at Tiffany's is actually referenced here and Capote is even observed talking to people at a cocktail party about Marilyn Monroe, who was his choice to play Holly Golightly. That part of Capote's career would have been interesting to look at.

Don't get me wrong, this is a great film that doesn't just spurt out a lot of facts, but allows the viewer to come to their own conclusions about what happens here. We watch Capote and good pal Harper Lee begin a legitimate investigation into the murders but everything seems to change once Capote lays eyes on Perry Smith, As the film progresses, everything else becomes background as the film whittles down to the relationship between Capote and Smith. Capote seems almost obsessed with Smith, but it's never really made clear why because Capote doesn't really care that Smith is guilty, but spearheads an appeal for the man. We're never really sure if Capote believes that Perry Smith is being wronged or if he is falling in love with the man, but at one point, Harper Lee asks Capote if he's in love with Perry and his answer is very telling.

I was surprised as the film began to boil down to the relationship between Capote and Smith, that Smith is not portrayed as ignorant thug. The Perry Smith in this film is intelligent and sensitive, but also fully aware of who he is. On the other hand, it was a little odd that whether or not Smith was aware that Capote was attracted to him is never even broached. As a ,matter of fact, any evidence of homophobia is whitewashed hear, which was not the case the following year in Infamous, where Toby Jones played Capote.

Director Bennett Miller (Moneyball) has mounted an absolutely gorgeous film filled painting-like imagery. Phillip Seymour Hoffman completely disappears inside Capote and his Oscar was well deserved and mention must also be made of Catherine Keener as Harper Lee, Clifton Collins Jr as Perry Smith, and Oscar winner Chris Cooper as Alvin Dewey. Appointment viewing for Hoffman's performance alone.