by rick grant rickgrant01@comcast.net
A Rated R 110 min
This film stands on it own as a masterwork of cinematic art. It will undoubtedly be compared to 2005’s Truman, which won Philip Seymour Hoffman an Oscar. However, it’s not the same picture, but with different actors. First and foremost, writer director, Douglas McGrath adapted his screenplay from George Plimpton’s book, Truman Capote: In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances, and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career.
The thrust of the McGrath’s premise is Truman’s closest friends recalling his life and times in regard to his six year odyssey of writing In Cold Blood. For Truman, it was an arduous journey that took a toll on his health and psychological well being.
So, forget Truman. View this film on its own merits. McGrath’s script goes into much more intimate detail regarding Truman’s love of Perry Smith, and how viewing his execution almost destroyed him. Truman met a kindred spirit in Perry. His background was similar to Truman’s. Indeed, if Truman had not been able to channel his deep seeded hurt and anger into his art, he could have ended up like Perry–a killer.
Toby Jones inhabits Truman’s soul with his penetrating portrayal of Truman’s complex personality. For those who remember Truman Capote, Toby’s characterization is uncannily accurate. After the shock of his funny voice and gay affectations wear off, he comes off as a charming and funny little man. He had an ability to find out what people wanted and he gave it to them, whether it was juicy gossip, expensive gifts, or access to his influence to win their confidence.
When Truman arrived in the small Kansas town to research his book, he might as well have been an alien being from another planet to the people of this provincial region. But that didn’t stop Truman. He traveled with his best friend, Nelle Harper Lee, who was also famous for writing To Kill a Mocking Bird. She opened doors for Truman who then made friends with skeptical people. His biggest challenge was the District Attorney, Alvin Dewey (Jeff Daniels) who Truman called “ Foxy.” Dewey’s wife realized that Truman and Nelle were bonafide celebrities, so she invited them to Christmas dinner. At the party, Truman finally won over Dewey and his family with his stories, name dropping, and performing his femme-like monologue.
The film’s key scenes are told by Nelle, whose recollections flash back to the stark Kansas jail where the two killers–Richard Hickock and Perry Smith–were incarcerated. Sandra Bullock’s skillful in-depth characterization of Elle Harper Lee is Oscar worthy. Her poignant and ironic telling of the aftermath of Truman’s In Cold Blood triumph is a memorable analysis of how such a major work of art can drain a person of all creative energy. Interestingly, she, like Truman, was spent after her great work and never really rallied to write other notable books.
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