Capote: Biopic 2.0

I'm not exactly sure what brought it on but halfway through our current decade every other major drama seemed to be a biopic. Also apparently being in a biopic nearly guaranteed you an Oscar nomination if not a win as Jammie Foxx, Reese Witherspoon and Phillip Seymour Hoffman won acting awards. Likewise, Catherine Keener, Joaquin Phoenix, and Johnny Depp garnered critical praise and Oscar nominations. Perhaps it's the extensive research and the transformations that gave each of these actors such fine performances but despite all the praise the I still remember a great deal of controversy over this film being nominated for best picture. So the major question I'm going to answer in this is not is this a good movie but rather is this movie worthy of the nomination?

For those unfamiliar with the movie or Truman Capote or the book that this movie centers around we shall sum up. An openly gay writer Truman Capote was known for his incredibly social demeanor, famous writing including Breakfast At Tiffany's and a very unique way of speaking and presenting himself. Still a major player in the arts Truman comes across an article about the brutal murder of an entire family in Kansas and decides he wants to write about it. Along with him he brings his childhood friend Harper Lee, the woman who would soon publish her own famous book To Kill A Mockingbird, to help warm up the townsfolk who are initially distrusting of Capote's strange nature. Shortly after the men responsible are found and brought in and Truman begins to delve into the minds of the killers, particularly the seemingly innocent Perry Smith. However the further he delves into the case Truman realizes that the men responsible must die in order to get the proper ending to his breakthrough work In Cold Blood.

So first let's get the acting praise out of the way. While I've always admired Phillip Seymour Hoffman this is easily his best work. Were it not for his physical appearance he could easily be mistaken for Capote. But aside from the signature voice and mannerisms the biggest moments from Hoffman comes when he emotes of so subtly. There are numerous times when Truman is clearly heartbroken or torn up and wants to say something comforting but can't because of his own aspirations. In these moments you can actually see the thoughts cross his mind as his eyes stay focused forward but bounce back and forth indicating his great uncertainty. Catherine Keener is also lovely and provides a great contrast to Truman's bombastic and self-center personality by being down to earth and maintains the needed perspective to Truman's one way mind.

Ok with that obligatory butt-kiss of the actors how about the actual movie itself. Watching this movie I can admit it felt more like something Oscar voters tend to lean towards. Movies like Ray are always littered with grand Hollywood moments and never seem to have a dull moment. In contrast, Capote is slower and lacks the flash of other biopics and includes many quiet moments. This movie also avoids the typical biopic formula of personal tragedy, starting up, success, personal destruction, and finally redemption. In this case Truman starts up high and slowly but surely falls into depression, self loathing, and wishes for the men he has feigned friendship with to be executed so he can finish his book.

At first I thought this was good but after a little bit I realized I've been so conditioned to like happy endings that the downward spiral slightly depressed me so that's never good. I will also admit that though it's true to who he was Truman's mannerisms make him sound quite irritating and so listening to him deliver some of his lines takes away from of their affect. The other major criticism that I would have is that there are plenty of times when the movie could have delved deeper. Any of his relationships with his friends and loved ones would have been a good start and of course the relationship with Perry Smith that many suspect Truman had a romantic relationship with. They had about fifteen minutes before they hit the two hour mark so that could have rounded things out a bit.

My general reaction to the major question at hand is a umm not so much. In terms of pure cinematic experience the effect is far too subtle. Academy awards I believe should be given to movies of extraordinary dramatic power and have their audience talking, cheering, and crying. This movie while moving and thoughtfully made got the nomination riding on Hoffman's performance. Now in the new system with ten films up for best picture? This film would definitely make it. So now I don't have to be angry the next time something like The Dark Knight gets passed over for Oscar bait about Nazis (looking at you the Reader).