Capote (2005)
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A novelist becomes emotionally entangled with the real-life murderers he is documenting for his first major work of nonfiction.
The story
In 1959, following the brutal murders of the Clutter family on a Kansas farm, American novelist Truman Capote decides to document the tragedy. Accompanied by his childhood friend Nelle Harper Lee, Capote travels to Kansas to conduct interviews. Despite initial resistance from the lead detective, Alvin Dewey, Capote eventually gains access to the victims' photographs and the suspects. Using flattery and a keen insight into the human condition, Capote begins to form a complex relationship with the accused, Perry Smith and Richard "Dick" Hickock, as he prepares to expand his reporting into a full-length nonfiction book.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1959, Truman Capote travels to Kansas with Nelle Harper Lee to document the Clutter family murders. After gaining access to the suspects, Perry Smith and Richard "Dick" Hickock, through the help of Dewey's wife, Capote begins to form an emotional attachment to Smith. He eventually convinces Shawn to let him expand the story into a full-length book. Following the trial and conviction, Capote continues to visit Smith, even bribing Warden Marshall Krutch for access. During a year-long stint in Morocco and Spain, Capote writes the first three parts of the book with his partner, Jack Dunphy. Despite Smith's refusal to reveal the exact details of the murders, Capote eventually compels him to describe the killings in detail. Capote recognizes his own callousness in the process. While waiting for the appeals to conclude, he struggles with drinking and feels isolated by his friend's success. When the final appeal is rejected, Capote refuses to return to Smith before his execution. However, a telegram from Smith to Harper Lee prompts her to compel Capote to return to Kansas. Capote witnesses the execution and later reflects on his role in the tragedy. The film ends with an epilogue noting that 'In Cold Blood' made him famous, but he died in 1984 from alcoholism.
- First release year
- 2005
- Runtime (minutes)
- 114
- Production countries
- United States; Canada
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Bennett Miller
- Writers
- Dan Futterman · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Philip Seymour Hoffman · Truman Capote; Catherine Keener; Clifton Collins Jr.; Bruce Greenwood; Mark Pellegrino; Amy Ryan; Chris Cooper
- Genres
- biographical drama; crime; independent; LGBTQ-related
- Themes
- Obsession; The cost of fame; Moral ambiguity; Human condition
- Tone and mood
- Biographical; Dramatic; Somber
- Premise and plot tags
- True Story; Biographical; Crime; Writer's Life
- Source material / true-story basis
- Gerald Clarke's 1988 biography Capote
- Content notes
- LGBTQ-related
- Reception
- The film was a box-office success and received critical acclaim, particularly for Philip Seymour Hoffman's lead performance. It was praised for its strength and insight.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 8.50/10 · scale: 10 · review count: 194; Metacritic · score: 88 · scale: 100 · review count: 40
- Awards and nominations
- National Society of Film Critics Award · Best Film · Won; Academy Award · Best Actor · Won; British Academy Film Award · Best Actor · Won; Golden Globe Award · Actor · Won; Gotham Independent Film Award · Breakthrough Director · Won; Academy Award · Best Picture · Nominated; Academy Award · Best Director · Nominated; Academy Award · Best Supporting Actress · Nominated; Academy Award · Best Adapted Screenplay · Nominated; British Academy Film Award · Best Film · Nominated; British Academy Film Award · Best Director · Nominated; British Academy Film Award · Best Supporting Actress · Nominated; British Academy Film Award · Best Adapted Screenplay · Nominated; Writers Guild of America Awards · Best Adapted Screenplay · Nominated; Directors Guild of America Awards · Best Director · Nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was released on September 30, 2005, which was Truman Capote's 81st birthday.; The production budget was $7 million.; The film grossed $50 million worldwide.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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