Infamous Details

Truman Capote again

‘Infamous’ is about the American author Truman Capote and his obsession with the murder of a farming family in Kansas in 1959 which became the inspiration for his masterpiece ‘In Cold Blood’. Does this sound familiar? It was also the subject-matter of the 2005 film ‘Capote’.

It is impossible to watch one without comparing it to the other, but there are differences between the two which make ‘Infamous’ worth watching. ‘Capote’ was realistic and wholly believable. Based on Gerald Clarke’s acclaimed biography, it portrayed Truman Capote as a self-centred and determined man manipulating the killers to gain their trust and therefore the material necessary to write his book. ‘Infamous’ is an altogether lighter and more glamorous affair. It is based on ‘Truman Capote’ by George Plimpton and contains fictional scenes and characters and a sprinkling of humour. Truman is portrayed as a softer and more likeable character who becomes emotionally drawn to one of the killers (Daniel Craig) - including a lingering kiss in his jail cell. Toby Jones gives a strong performance as Capote, complete with high-pitched voice, but the film doesn’t allow him to bring quite the depth of character to the role as Philip Seymour Hoffman was allowed in ‘Capote’. Sandra Bullock is a suitably restrained Nelle Harper Lee, but if you are a Gwynneth Paltrow fan be warned that all she does is sing a song.

[Highly rated reviewer]

NOT AS ARTY-FARTY AS 'CAPOTE'

I saw Philip Seymour Hoffman's Oscar winning version, and found it rather tedious. I went for this one too, because it has Daniel Craig in it, and I'm a Bond anorak. The bloke who plays Capote (can't remember his name) must have been waiting all of his life to play this role. Then Hoffman does it with more publicity, and bags an Oscar! Craig looks like he's been enbalmed, and is rather poor. Bond may just be his niche, 'cos everything else bar 'Layer Cake' is pretty weak. This doesn't have it's head up it's arse like 'Capote' did. It's alright, but don't boost it up your list.