Damn, I’m really on a roll (as far as queer flicks are concerned). I’ve actually seen both CAPOTE and BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN on DVD. The special features alone–made me glad I bought both flicks.

I found the film CAPOTE — both moving and maddening. The performances were all excellent. And I agree the lead actor, Philip Seymour Hoffman, deserved the Academy Award he won. But the so-called revelations about the REAL Truman Capote (why he never wrote another major book after In Cold Blood, plus his eventual self-destruction from too much booze and pills and bitchy gossip) — just didn’t ring true for me. Too much was implied. And I was having a hard time believing it.

I do think he developed a strong bond with Perry Smith (played by Clifton Collins, Jr.), one of the two notorious killers. But it was not true love–or even a strong sexual attraction. The film seems to suggest that Capote actually fell in love with Perry, and that’s where all his troubles began. First of all, Truman already had a lover. And it was a long-term relationship. So I cannot see him throwing all of that away–for a man that had killed four people (in cold blood) — and was literally on Death Row.

I do think, however, that he felt a strong sense of empathy for Perry Smith. He might have been a murderer — but what haunted Truman was “what might have been.” Perry was an intelligent man. He was quite artistic, and given a better life — might easily have become a successful writer or artist himself. However, his horrific childhood — had damaged him so completely, that it was only a matter of time before all the hatred he had for the people that had hurt him so (and many of them were members of his own family) exploded like a time bomb.

This does not excuse what he did in any way. And Capote knew that. But he was supposed to be writing about a monster, and discovered there was a very damaged and hurting human being before him. And Capote had to earn Perry’s trust, so he could learn the truth about what really happened to the Clutter family on that horrible night. Otherwise, there was no true basis for the book.

So Truman lied to Perry Smith. Told him he was his friend — and that he would even do his best to try and save his life. And Perry believed him. Also, Capote convinced him that his book would show the world that he was no true monster. That he was a human being. And that’s how he was able to manipulate Perry, and get the kind of information for his book that would make Capote one of the most successful writers of his generation — and earn him a fortune. So he got what he wanted. The book was an amazing success. He was rich and famous.

But Perry Smith was hanged (along with Richard Hickock). And it was Perry’s death that haunted him for the rest of his life (Capote died at the age of 59). Haunted him so deeply, that he became an alcoholic and addict. And never wrote another major book. And frequently appeared on Talk Shows — in very bad shape: quite bitter and bitchy. Making fun of people that had once been his friends. Until he alienated virtually everyone he’d ever been close to.

No, I don’t think Capote was ever in love with Perry Smith (which the film seems to suggest). But he did feel sorry for him. And I think most of the self-destruction that came towards the end of his life–was because he felt guilty for betraying a man the world perceived as a monster. Yet he had discovered the wounded and hurting human being within. CAPOTE is not a masterpiece, yet it remains one of the best films ever made about a major queer writer.

Note: The DVD includes excellent commentary by Hoffman and director Bennett Miller, plus a quite good documentary on Truman Capote.

{BTW, did y’all know the screenplay was written by cutie-pie Danny Futterman (for which he was nominated for an Oscar) who had a substantial part in one of mah favorite movies, The Birdcage, as the son of Robin Williams’ character? Did you see him in that all too brief recurring role on Will and Grace? ~ Tallulah}

2005, 115 min

Country: US

Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Cast: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Collins, Jr., Chris Cooper, Bruce Greenwood, Bob Balaban, Mark Pellegrino, Amy Ryan

Director: Bennett Miller

Screenwriter: Dan Futterman

Original Author: Gerald Clarke

Rating: R