What The Critics Say

"Acting doesn't get much better than Philip Seymour Hoffman's acid-etched -- yet oddly poetic -- portrait of Truman Capote." Lou Lumenick NEW YORK POST "A devastating portrait of genius and narcissism." Jack Mathews NEW YORK DAILY NEWS "Capote might be the best movie ever made about the complex relationship between a serious writer and a vulnerable, though not guiltless, subject." Robert Denerstein DENVER ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS "A superlative performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman as the famous writer whose need to be special manifests itself as both entertaining and deeply disturbing." Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat SPIRITUALITY AND HEALTH "A well-written and generally engrossing film, it will inevitably be celebrated for Hoffman’s utterly uncanny personification of the vividly memorable Capote." Stefan Halley HERO REALM "... a portrait of the artist as a hollow man who's both fascinating and slightly horrifying. " Carol Cling LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL "Hoffman finally gets the leading role he deserves, and he nails it perfectly." Rich Cline SHADOWS ON THE WALL "The rarest of films that is not only superbly crafted in its own right but that also illuminates and expands upon our perception of another work." Mark Dujsik MARK REVIEWS MOVIES "It is complex and thoughtful and tragic in the end. And it is certainly one of the best movies of the year." Tom Long DETROIT NEWS "Philip Seymour Hoffman does a flat-out fabulous job as Tru, and it's a compelling tale, particularly the dual meaning of "In Cold Blood."" Susan Granger MODAMAG.COM

The Philip Seymour Hoffman Story

"Hoffman captures the writer in his complex, sometimes almost diabolically manipulative glory." Phoebe Flowers SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL

GOLDEN GLOBE ® AWARD WINNER Best Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. NOMINATED for 5 ACADEMY ® AWARDS including Best Film, Best Actor [Philip Seymour Hoffman] Best Director [Bennett Miller], Best Supporting Actress [Catherine Keener]. NOMINATED in 5 BAFTA ® categories including Best Film, Best Actor [Philip Seymour Hoffman], Best Supporting Actress [Catherine Keener], Best Director [Bennett Miller]. 2005 Boston Society of Film Critics Best Actor, L A Film Critics Association, Broadcast Film Critics Association, the Philip Seymour Hoffman train rumbles through award ceremonies gathering more and more momentum in the lead up to this years 2005 ® Academy Awards ceremony. Hoffman made his feature film debut in the 1991 indie production "Triple Bogey on a Par Five Hole' billed as Phil Hoffman.The next year he received his first role in a major release with the film "My New Gun" which starred Diane Lane and James LeGros. Hoffman appeared in two more film that year. He was cast with Al Pacino and Chris O'Donnell in "Scent Of A woman" and with Steve Martin and Debra Winger in "Leap Of Faith". Audiences took more notice of him though when he appeared in the [1997] film, "Boogie Nights" which starred Burt Reynolds along with Julianne Moore, Heather Graham, Don Cheadle, Luis Guzmán, William H Macey and Mark Wahlberg, most of whom are now household names. From that start in 1992 Philip Seymour Hoffman went on to grab a big following amongst fans of 'indie' art house films appearing in "Happiness' [1998], "Flawless" [1999], "The Talented Mr Ripley" [1999], "Magnolia" [1999], "Almost Famous" [2000], "State and Main" [2000], "25th Hour" [2002], "Punch-Drunk Love" [2002] and "Owning Mahowny" [2003]. In a amongst those terribly entertaining 'indie' art house films Hoffman has appeared in the 'mainstream' films, "Twister" [1996], "The Big Lebowski"[1998], "Patch Adams" [1998], "Red Dragon" [2002], "Cold Mountain [2003]" and "Along Came Polly" [2004]. For the many who may not be aware, Philip Seymour Hoffman's talents extend beyond the screen. He graduated at the age of 21 from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts with a B F A degree in Drama. He is the Co-Artistic Director of the LAByrinth Theater Company in New York. He has directed four stage plays, Our Lady of 121st Street", "In Arabia, We'd All Be Kings,", "Jesus Hopped the A Train" and "The Glory of Living". He has twice been nominated for a TONY AWARD. Hoffman will next be seen in "Mission Impossible III" playing the bad guy. In a strange way Hoffmans role as Truman Capote is one many will see as playing the bad guy. What ever your thoughts you will be impressed by Hoffman's performance in the film which Kansas City Star Film Critic Robert W Butler describes as "A gut wrencher, a sobering tale of how literary genius and moral emptiness combine to produce both great art and shattered lives." The Inside Story On Truman Capote

"There’s the one and only T.C. There was nobody like me before, and there ain’t gonna be anybody like me after I’m gone." TRUMAN CAPOTE June 1984 [born September 30th 1924. Died August 25th 1984]

Until Philip Seymour Hoffman came along. That's according to the man who wrote the biography of Truman Capote, Gerald Clarke. How good is Hoffman at portraying the famous writer? "For a couple of hours, however, Philip comes close." So who is Truman Capote? He was born on Truman Streckfus Persons on September 30th 1924 in New Orleans to parents Archulus "Arch" Persons [a salesman] and 16 year old Lillie Mae Faulk [a beauty queen]. Truman was four years old when his parents divorced. The young Truman was brought up in Monroeville, Alabama. Here as a child he made friends with Capote made friends with Harper Lee, who portrayed him as Dill in her world famous novel "To Kill a Mockingbird". "Dill was a curiosity" she said. "He wore blue linen shorts that buttoned to his shirt, his hair was snow white and stuck to his head like duckfluff; he was a year my senior but I towered over him. As he told us the old tale his blue eyes would lighten and darken; his laugh was sudden and happy; he habitually pulled at a cowlick in the center of his forehead." When Truman's mother married a well to do Joseph Capote in 1933 they moved to New York. Truman adopted his stepfather's name in 1935. At the age of seventeen Truman left school and took a job at the New Yorker. He made a name for himself because of his eccentric dress. In 1975 Brendan Gill is quoted as recalling the young man "sweeping through the corridors of the magazine in a black opera cape, his long golden hair falling to his shoulders: an apparition that put one in mind of Oscar Wilde in Nevada, in his velvets and lilies." In 1946 he won the O Henry Award for his magazine work. In 1948 Capote's first novel, "Other Voices, Other Rooms" was published. It was a controversial theme which "created controversy because of its treatment of homosexuality." In 1951 the "The Grass Harp" was published followed by "The Baron in the Trees" [1954] and then the 1958 novella "Breakfast at Tiffany's". "What I've found does the most good is just to get into a taxi and go to Tiffany's. It calms me down right away, the quietness and the proud look of it; nothing very bad could happen to you there," the famous author is quoted as saying. In 1966 "In Cold Blood" was released, 1968 his novella "The Thanksgiving Visitor" and on the 24th of October 2005 The New Yorker published his previously lost 1943 first novel "Summer Crossing". Capote also wrote screenplays for "Beat the Devil" and "The Great Gatsby". According to reports "In later life, Capote became fairly reclusive, most likely as a reaction against the rejection of his former friends. On those occasions when he was seen in public, he frequently exhibited wildly eccentric behavior, due to his alcoholism and addiction to various drugs [both prescription and non-medicinal] despite several attempts at drug rehabilitation. Substance abuse caused him to have hallucinations in his final years, and often required hospitalization. He died from an overdose of pills at the age of 59 on August 25th 1984 in the home of Joanne Carson, ex-wife of late-night TV host Johnny Carson, on whose program Capote was a frequent guest. Writing The Biography & Other Bits

"What I had not anticipated was the drama that surrounded every minute of Truman’s life, dramas in which I sometimes also became a participant. As a result, my own book took more than thirteen years. Some lark! Writing it was the hardest thing I have ever done. It was also the most exhilarating." ... Gerald Clarke author of "CAPOTE: A BIOGRAPHY"

"The movie’s script is all Dan’s", explains author Gerald Clarke, "and a very good one it is, but I was happy to answer his questions, large and small." Clarke is probably the only person who knew Capote as well as Capote knew himself. His research into the famed authors life would become the subject material for the film which is capturing the imagination of cinemagoers the world over, "Capote". Initially Clarke believed the task of writing his book on Capote would be an easy one, after all he'd written articles on just about anyone of note. How wrong that proved to be. "I thought my book would be relatively easy to write," he said. "I had, after all, written many profiles of famous and talented people for Time magazine, a list that eventually included everyone from Mae West to Susan Sontag, Elizabeth Taylor to Joseph Campbell. I had also done a series on writers for The Atlantic and Esquire. Gore Vidal. Allen Ginsberg, the Beat poet. Vladmir Nabokov, the creator of Lolita. P G Wodehouse, the comic genius behind Jeeves. And, finally, Truman Capote, who was then the most celebrated writer in America—the author of In Cold Blood, the publishing phenomenon of the sixties and a book that has influenced the writing of nonfiction writing ever since. It was that last article that prompted a call from a publisher and my own call to Truman. "Truman, I’ve been asked to write your biography. Will you cooperate?" "Sure", Capote answered. So how long had Clarke envisaged working on his book? "I thought my book would take two years, three at most, and that writing it would be a lark, interviews at fancy restaurants and gallons of good vintage wine at the best table in the house." He was right about the latter but he'd underestimated the celebrity power of Capote which prompted one newspaper to write, "You might say Truman Capote has become omnipotent." It would take Clarke thirteen long years to complete his book. "In search of information I crisscrossed the United States and traveled several times to Europe. One of my destinations was of course, Kansas, the setting for "In Cold Blood". I came to know all but two of the main characters in Capote, the movie. Harper Lee, who helped Truman with his research and who was soon to have her own hugely successful book, "To Kill a Mockingbird". Alvin Dewey, the lead detective for the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, and his wife, Marie. William Shawn, the editor of The New Yorker. And Jack Dunphy, Truman’s longtime companion." The murderers Perry Smith and Dick Hickock of course were dead but Clarke says he "still got to know, intimately I thought, through the forty or so letters they wrote to Truman. Most of their letters run several pages, and they are unsparing windows into life on death row. Truman gave them to me, and Dan Futterman who wrote the screenplay of Capote, is the only one I’ve ever let see them. Their dialogue in the movie reflects, almost word for word, what Perry and Dick actually said." From what Clarke was able to learn from Capote and other sources, he believes "In Cold Blood" was a turning point in Capote's career, but not one ultimately for the better. "In some lives," wrote Clarke, "there are moments which, looked at later, can be seen as the lines that define the beginning of a dramatic rise or decline. The proximate cause of his tragic fall, for that’s what it was, was "In Cold Blood" itself." Cast & Crew Bytes "CAPOTE" stars .......
2005 Golden Globe, National Society of Film Critics, Chicago Film Critics Association and San Diego Film Critics Association Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman ["State and Main", "Red Dragon", "Owning Mahowny" and "Along Came Polly"]; Catherine Keener ["Being John Malkovich", "Lovely & Amazing", "The Interpreter" and "The 40 Year Old Virgin"]; Chris Cooper ["American Beauty", "Adaptation", "Seabiscuit" and "Jarhead"]; Bruce Greenwood ["Double Jeopardy", "The Core", "Being Julia" and "Racing Stripes"]; Bob Balaban ["Ghost World", "Gosford Park", "The Majestic" and "A Mighty Wind"]; Clifton Collins Jr ["Menace II Society", "My Sweet Killer", "The Last Castle" and "The Rules of Attraction"]; Jeremy Dangerfield ["A Path In Time" and "Migraine"]; R D Reid ["Murder One", "The Shipping News", "Dawn Of The Dead" and "Cinderella Man"] and Mark Pellegrino ["Mulholland Dr.", "Spartan", "Twisted" and "National Treasure"] as Richard Hickock.
"CAPOTE" was .......
directed by Bennett Miller ["The Cruise"]; screenplay by Dan Futterman [who appeared in "The Fisher King", "Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get Even", "The Birdcage" and "Urbania"]; original story by Gerald Clarke ["Be Happy" and "Capote: A Biography"]; costume design by Kasia Walicka-Maimone ["Side Streets", "Jesus' Son", "The Business of Strangers" and "Little Manhattan"]; production design by Jess Gonchor ["Five Minutes, Mr. Welles", "15 Minutes", "Identity" and "The Last Samurai"]; edited by Christopher Tellefsen ["Analyze This", "Changing Lanes", "The Human Stain" and "The Village"]; cinematography by Adam Kimmel ["Who Do I Gotta Kill?", "Who's the Man?", "Jesus' Son" and "Beyond Suspicion"]; original music by Mychael Danna ["Antwone Fisher", "Shattered Glass", "Vanity Fair" and "Being Julia"] produced by William Vince ["Underworld", "Air Bud", "The Snow Walker" and "Saved!"], Michael Ohoven ["Evelyn", "The Final Cut", "The Devil's Rejects", "The Cave" and "Just Friends"] and Caroline Baron ["The Opposite Sex and How to Live with Them", "The Santa Clause", "Centre Stage" and "Monsoon Wedding"]. What It's All About

"The genius of the film, besides Hoffman's stunning performance, is that it knows exactly how much is enough. It never overplays, lingers or punches up." Stephen Hunter WASHINGTON POST

In November 1959, four members of the Clutter family are found murdered in their home in Holcomb, Kansas. The New Yorker magazine writer Truman Capote is immediately interested and convinces his Editor William Shawn that he should investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the well known locals. Capote travels to Holcomb with Harper Lee. Initially he meets resistence but eventually Capote gains the confidence of Kansas Bureau of Investigation agent Alvin Dewey who heads up the investigation and the hunt for those responsible for the crime. Capote is given a closer insight into what has happened and becomes even more fascinated with what lies behind the brutal slaying of the family members. Eventually the men responsible for the murders are captured in Las Vegas. Capote befriends one of them, Perry Smith. He developes a sort of friendship with the accused killer and offers support. At their trial both Perry Smith and Dick Hickock are convicted and sentenced to death by hanging. Capote commences writing a novel about the events before and after the trial. It will eventually become a best seller and a literary giant, "In Cold Blood". When Perry Smith hears of the title he believes Capote has sold them out for his own personal glory. But Capote explains that the book isn't finished. Capote knows he doesn't have an ending. The Verdict "Philip Seymour Hoffman has been wowing art house audiences with some excellent performances over the years and it's a pity in a way that it takes a film such as "Capote" to grab everyones attention. This is a powerhouse performance and one which audiences will instantly realize is very Oscar ® worthy. Hoffman captures the mannerism of Truman Capote remarkably well. He reveals the darker, almost pure evil side of the famed author with chilling reality. Great movie. A truly great supporting cast. Hugely entertaining, "Capote" is one fascinating journey that shouldn't be missed. Very Recommended. FOUR & 1/2 STARS." Who's Who?

Philip Seymour Hoffman Catherine Keener Clifton Collins Jr Chris Cooper Bruce Greenwood Bob Balaban Amy Ryan Mark Pellegrino Allie Mickelson Marshall Bell Araby Lockhart Robert Huculak RD Reid Rob McLaughlin Harry Nelken Kerr Hewitt John Maclaren Jeremy Dangerfield John B Destry C Ernst Harth

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

Truman Capote Harper Lee Perry Smith Alvin Dewey Jack Dunphy William Shawn Marie Dewey Richard Hickock Laura Kinney Warden Marshall Krutch Dorothy Sanderson New York Reporter Roy Church Harold Nye Sheriff Walter Sanderson Danny Burke Judge Roland Tate Jury Foreman Pete Holt Lowell Lee Andrews

The Crew Directed by Bennett Miller Screenplay by Dan Futterman Adapted from the book "Capote: A Biography" by Gerald Clarke Produced by Caroline Baron/Michael Ohoven/William Vince Original Music by Mychael Danna Cinematography by Adam Kimmel Film Editing by Christopher Tellefsen Casting by Heike Brandstatter/Avy Kaufman/Coreen Mayrs Production Design by Jess Gonchor Set Decoration by Maryam Decter & Scott Rossell Costume Design by Kasia Walicka-Maimone Run Time 114 minutes Rated M [AUST] Copyright ©2006 - Sony Pictures Classic - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2006 - Impact Internet Services & The Movie Pages - All Rights Reserved