Capote
by Dylan
Mitchell
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}
Dylan Mitchell was born and raised in Chicago.
He is a widely published queer poet, and was the
editor of Walt's World: an online literary journal.
His first book of poems, FORGERY, was published in
2000. He currently lives in Portland, Oregon. You
may read his poetry on his blog,
Famous for 15 Minutes.
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