Infamous [DVD]

Anyone interested in the story behind 'In Cold Blood' and Truman Capote should see 'Infamous', even if - especially if - they have already seen 'Capote'.

I was blown away by 'Infamous': it is an excellent movie of how the novel 'In Cold Blood' came about. Toby Jones gave a far more convincing performance of Truman Capote than Philip Seymour Hoffman's over-stylised effort. Toby Jones brought a verisimilitude to the character that went far deeper than his superficial physical resemblance (stature, broad forehead) and very effective rendition of the high-pitched voice. In his mannerisms, ways in which he wore the costumes, in his relationships with his female friends, from the genuine and close bond with Nelle Harper Lee to the New York society women of fashion, Toby Jones fully realised Capote's character in a way Hoffman could never do, and showed what an excellent and overlooked actor he is. This was a perfect part for him and it is very disappointing that he did not receive more recognition, not even a BAFTA or an Oscar nod. Sandra Bullock, also, proved her worth in her role as Harper Lee, carefully underplaying the part, assuming the walk and gestures and unassuming manner we have seen in the rare footage of Lee in documentaries. The film manages to convey the horror of the real crime while maintaining the fiction, even exaggerating a few details for effect, such as the sexual frisson between Perry Smith (a subtle performance from Daniel Craig, looking very different from James Bond, especially as his eye colour was changed) and Capote. All credit also to the supporting cast: Sigourney Weaver as Babe Paley, Hope Davis as Slim Keith, Juliet Stevenson as Diana Vreeland, even Gwyneth Paltrow as Kitty Dean alias Peggy Lee. Jeff Daniels was great as the police chief Dewey. These stalwarts added credibility to the leads of Jones and Bullock, and made the whole into a very satisfying movie.

This film has been grossly underrated and it is a great pity it was overwhelmed by the much less stimulating 'Capote', the latter's pace much slower and deliberate than 'Infamous' but not half so subtle. 'Infamous' almost works like a very well-worked out stage play, with carefully drawn scenes, perfected in style and content, with superb sets and costumes. 'Capote' crams too much into the film and drags scenes out at the same time. 'Infamous' keeps the plot straightforward, and relies on the conceit of 'interviews' with The New York jet set, and brief social scenes cleverly authenticating the story which is of course, both fiction and non-fiction. Comparisons between the two films are inevitable - and there are many similarities, particularly of dialogue - but 'Infamous' is an entertaining, informative, and effective film. 'Capote' is over-stylised, tedious, and plodding. 'Infamous' is better.

I went into this film with only the most basic knowledge about Truman Capote and his writing. I knew he wrote Breakfast at Tiffany's and In Cold Blood, the latter of which was based on a real crime, I knew he was as exceedingly odd little man, and that's about it. I've never read any of his work, and I haven't seen the film In Cold Blood or 2005's Capote. As I first began watching Infamous, I found myself wondering how I could possibly sit through almost two hours of a film about this dandyish, hopelessly pretentious man smarming his way through New York high society. His incredibly annoying voice didn't help, even though it was nowhere near as bothersome as Sandra Bullock's horrible fake Southern accent in her role as Harper Lee. As the film progressed, though, this strange little man began to grow on me. By the mid-way point, I was pretty much engrossed in the story, and the ending clinched all five of the stars I have to give this film (which is pretty amazing given the fact that it includes three of my least favorite actresses: Gwyneth Paltrow, Sigourney Weaver, and the aforementioned Sandra Bullock).

Obviously, Truman Capote is one of the most complex and fascinating of men. I certainly won't define the man by the interpretation on display in Infamous (which is based on Douglas McGrath's 1997 oral biography of the man); after all, this is a fictionalized story of a man known for his own obfuscations with the truth. You can't even look at In Cold Blood with purely objective eyes because Capote relied on memory rather than notes to produce the book. And, from what I gather, 2005's Capote provides a noticeably different perspective on the man as it tells basically the same story as Infamous, focusing on the writing and later publication of In Cold Blood. One thing I am sure of is that Toby Jones turns in an absolutely captivating performance as this most inscrutable of characters. Capote seemed like such a fake in the early scenes, but Toby Jones transformed him into an incredibly human soul long before the end credits began rolling - sympathetic to a significant degree, as some of the flaws in Capote's character manifest themselves, but not without his own emotionally cold-blooded moment here and there. If nothing else, this Truman Capote is not a man you would want to confide in with your darkest secrets.

Infamous gets pretty emotionally complicated once Capote finally gets access to both killers, especially a reluctant Perry Smith (Daniel Craig). It's a bumpy ride, but the relationship that develops between Smith and Capote serves as the lynchpin of this film. Infamous dares call it love, although I imagine that is debatable. Clearly, though, the two men understood one another in ways few others ever did, and that makes the drama of the concluding scenes truly palpable.

I find it somewhat ironic that the actual murder that gave rise to In Cold Blood and these two recent films about Truman Capote doesn't seem to generate much interest at all. Capote, both the myth and the man, towers over his subject matter. I certainly don't feel as if I know the real Truman Capote after watching this film, but I'm intrigued enough to go and seek out 2005's Capote and see the story of In Cold Blood told from an alternate viewpoint.

Despite being fairly well received by the critics, I fear this film did not receive the public acknowledgement it deserved, perhaps due to the rather niche subject. A beautifully shot and intricately constructed semi-fictional biopic about the life and character of Truman Capote. A conrnucopia of A-Listers grace the cast-list, but none other than the little known Toby Jones manages to encapsulate the viewer with such an empathetic and well-sculpted performance. Toby Jones seemed to be born for this role, he transforms himself, voice, mannerisms and all, into the colourful character that is Truman Capote, indeed 'infamous' in his time for his flamboyance and deviance. From the moment we see Jones' performance we are instantly connected to Capote, amazed and excited by his world. A great starter for anyone new to the genius of Capote, or even the well-ripened well-read fan.