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Capote
A biopic of writer Truman Capote and his assignment for The New Yorker to write the non-fiction book "In Cold Blood".
2005 · Directed by Bennett Miller · 114 min · Crime · Drama · Screenplay in the scene database · 16 frames
Tagline
In New York City, he was the ultimate insider. But out here, he was on the outside, looking in.
Plot
In 1959, the Clutter family murders take place on their Kansas farm. After reading The New York Times, riveted by the story, Truman Capote calls The New Yorker magazine editor William Shawn to tell him that he plans to document the tragedy. Capote travels to Kansas, inviting childhood friend Nelle Harper Lee to come along. With Lee as his go-between and facilitator, he intends to interview those involved with the Clutter family. Alvin Dewey, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation's lead detective on the case, brushes him off. Dewey's wife, Marie, a fan of Capote's writing, persuades her husband to invite Capote and Lee to their house for dinner.
Capote's stories of movie sets and film stars captivate Marie. Over time, her husband warms to Capote and allows him to view the photographs of the victims. The Deweys, Lee, and Capote are having dinner when Dewey is informed that the murder suspects, Perry Smith and Richard "Dick" Hickock, have been caught. Flattery, bribery, and a keen insight into the human condition facilitate Capote's visits to the prison where the accused are held. As he begins to form an attachment to Smith, Capote informs Shawn of his intent to expand the story into a full-length book. Following the trial and conviction, after which both Smith and Hickock are sentenced to death, Capote gains continued access to the murderers by bribing Warden Marshall Krutch.
During the following years, Capote regularly visits Smith while learning about his life, except for a year-long stint, when Capote goes to Morocco and Spain to write the "first three parts" of the book, accompanied by his romantic partner, Jack Dunphy. The story of Smith's life, his remorseful manner, and his emotional sincerity impress Capote, who becomes emotionally attached to him despite the gruesome murders. Capote aids Smith and Hickock by obtaining expert legal counsel for them who initiate an appeal. Nevertheless, Capote is frustrated that Smith declines to relate exactly what happened the night of the murders.
Plot summary from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA.
Crew
- Screenplay: Dan Futterman
- Cinematography: Adam Kimmel
- Edited by: Christopher Tellefsen
- Music: Mychael Danna
- Production design: Jess Gonchor
- Produced by: William Vince, Michael Ohoven, Caroline Baron
Cast
- Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote
- Catherine Keener as Harper Lee
- Clifton Collins Jr. as Perry Smith
- Bruce Greenwood as Jack Dunphy
- Bob Balaban as William Shawn
- Mark Pellegrino as Dick Hickock
- Marshall Bell as Warden Marshall Krutch
- Amy Ryan as Marie Dewey
- Bess Meyer as Linda Murchak
- Chris Cooper as Alvin Dewey
Production
- Country: United States of America, Canada
- Language: English
- Studios: United Artists, A-Line Pictures, Cooper's Town, Infinity Media
- Budget: $7,000,000
- Box office: $49,327,405
- Themes: dreams, based on novel or book, self-fulfilling prophecy, identity, literature, journalism, literature research, biography, based on true story, kansas, usa
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