It's easy to become conflicted over the character of Truman Capote in this picture, just as Capote himself appeared to be conflicted in his relationship with one of the Clutter Family murderers, Perry Smith. It was a little unsettling to hear Capote outright lie to Smith the first time (when he said he didn't have a title to his book yet), but then he repeatedly lied time and time again to secure an advantage in gaining insights into Smith's character. Maybe 'lie' isn't the right word, how about manipulate? Capote was a master manipulator when it came to getting the information he wanted and needed for his story. I'm not so sure I wouldn't have done the same.The title for the film might be a bit of a misnomer. "Capote" isn't about the life of the esteemed novelist, it's really about a five or so year window during which Capote became captivated by the murder of a Kansas family and decided to write about it. I'm not sure if this was the first 'non-fiction novel' ever written as Capote claims to his publisher in the story, but that probably doesn't matter. If you've read "In Cold Blood", you'll know it's a chilling account of the brutal Clutter murders, a riveting read that's hard to put down once you get started.Despite the real life Capote's celebrity, the only time I've ever seen him, and this seems kind of weird, was as a panelist on a handful of the old Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts aired during the Seventies. Every time he appeared, as I recall, he utilized that affectation where he brings two fingers to his eye underneath the eyeglass lens. I can't recall if Phillip Seymour Hoffman did it more than once in this movie, but the one time I did make note of it was while riding to the premiere of "To Kill a Mockingbird" with his publisher William Shawn (Bob Balaban).What one probably needs to do if you haven't already done so, is catch up with the 1967 film based on Capote's book. As a complement to this picture, it does a much better job of detailing the dysfunctional, sordid and senseless lives of Richard Hickok and Perry Smith, while the stark black and white filming adds to the horror of the Clutter nightmare. In that movie, Perry Smith is portrayed by actor Robert Blake, and thinking about it now, wouldn't it have been something if Blake and Hoffman were contemporaries to appear in a film like this together. That would have been something, wouldn't it? Reading some of the negative reviews on this board, it appears that the film's pace was a problem for most. Granted, this is not an action movie, but the drama presented is noteworthy and provides some insight into the complexity of Truman Capote's character. What might serve well would be a more complete story on his life and times, the description of his early life to prisoner Smith sounded like the kind of stuff that would make for a compelling biography.

As I scroll through the other user reviews what I notice is that the ones that disliked the film all claim that it was "boring". That's fair, if you haven't read 'In Cold Blood', I suppose. The first time I watched this, I fell asleep during it because I was just unable to follow. But then I read the book, one that is considered a great piece of American literature. Watching the film a second time was a much different experience. I hung on every word that Capote had to say in wonder and excitement. The way the film depicts Capote's process as he does his work and how he relates to Perry, it's truly fascinating. This film has provided me with further appreciation for the novel 'In Cold Blood' as it reveals insightful details about Capotes point of view regarding the true story. I recommend this film to everyone who has read 'In Cold Blood'. I would also encourage those who found it boring to watch the film again after first reading the novel the film is about.

I saw this when it came out in '05. I've just re-watched all but the opening which I missed on HBO and could not care less about going back for. I had a sick feeling the first time I saw this and that was confirmed tonight. First, this screenplay demands that we ache for a sad one hit wonder of a writer and his grotesque infatuation for a quadruple murder who, "In Cold Blood", murdered a father, a mother, their son, and their daughter. For nothing. Their murders, much like the source material, are used only as a means to comprehend the killers. This film is as senseless as the crime it purports to be about.I was a big Hoffman fan: "Talented Mr. Ripley", "Happiness", "Boogie Nights", (not "The Master") he always delivered. And he does here too. Sort of. But to what effect? We're supposed to have sympathy for his bizarre crush on a caged killer? And the improvisation scene after the book reading was cartoonish. And Dan Futterman? Why? How sick do you have to be to write THIS story from THIS point of view? And where did this phantom boyfriend come from? There is no historical basis for Truman Capote to have a "boyfriend". He was a sad lonely man who wrote one book, could never finish another, became famous for being "odd", and then died a lonely alcoholic.I don't expect to make any friends here with this review. It's fashionable to like this crap. No thanks. The empathy is forced and pointed in all the wrong directions. I would really like for someone to tell me who we are supposed to care about in this story...

......................................................from Pasto,Colombia...Via: L.A. CA., CALI, COLOMBIA and ORLANDO, FLPhillip Seymour Hoffman was the kind of actor who, because of his physical appearance and demeanor, rarely was given the opportunity to take on a title role. Here, at last, was a stand out exception to that rule! In Capote, Hoffman was able to show us his true artistic ability. The Result: A well- deserved Oscar as best actor. It is quite a veritable shame that we will never again be able to see him in any new portrayals! CAPOTE, of course, is a true story, on this occasion, set in the 60's, Truman Capote, an author and human being who was truly extremely unique and most out of the ordinary, albeit, at times, highly conflicted …Characteristics that Hoffman very clearly transmits to us, as viewers, in this truly outstanding biopic! (8 Stars)...ENJOY!/DISFRUTELA! Any comments, questions or observations, in English o en Español, are most [email protected]