Search - Capote on DVD

Michael G. from NEW YORK, NY
Reviewed on 7/24/2010...

5 stars ,Great acting by Hoffman and interesting story.

2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.

Sheryl B. (Momof2boys)
Reviewed on 7/18/2010...

Overall I liked this movie, although I lost interest at certain parts, so much so that I paused it and came back later. The biggest hindrance for me was Capote's voice--it was really annoying and grated on me. That may have been how he talked in real life, but it's hard to watch a movie when every time the main character speaks it feels like nails on a chalkboard.

1 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.

Jennifer Y. from ROSWELL, GA
Reviewed on 11/12/2009...

I read In Cold Blood and was interested in seeing this movie, but honestly it's a snooze. It was a struggle to get past Hoffman's voice too. I'm sure that's how Capote spoke, but it is REALLY annoying. I found the movie to be incredibly boring, I didn't even finish watching it. The book In Cold Blood was very good. Read that instead.

3 of 6 member(s) found this review helpful.

Frank E. (realartist) from HENDERSONVLLE, NC
Reviewed on 9/27/2009...

Most of the time I prefer lighter movies. Combat veterans, naturally, spend much of their lives trying to forget/distance themselves from man's darker side. Reality TV was not invented in this generation. The famous and well respected opera "Pagliacci" was based upon the composer's judge father who heard a murder case involving a traveling comedy troupe in which the leader murdered his wife for her infidelity during a live performance.
It was new to opera then, and became known as "verismo". Capote sensed that a real murder would make for some gripping, unforgettable drama; and he was right - it gripped the nation, much the same way the Manson murders did just a decade after the senseless, brutal Kansas massacre of this plain, gentle, simple farm family.
The acting is superb. Phillip Seymour, multi dimensional actor, and not stuck in one character type at all, turns in an excellent portrayal of Truman Capote, who I recall making the 'talk show circuit' back then. The production is a great period piece about the late 50's, and 60's
Beyond the good film work, which makes this movie a 'keeper', It raises a lot of questions about ourselves all at once. For instance, why is it, when we pass slowly through an accident scene on the highway, we can't help trying to get a glimpse of the bloodied victims as we pass? It doesn't speak well about ourselves. Nor does it speak well of a smarmy, self absorbed writer, enjoying his attention in the media, from adoring fans, and otherwise exhibiting what Truman's friend in the movie referred to as "Truman's never ending love affair with himself". The murderers think Truman's popularity and writing skills may save them from a death sentence. And at the same time, Truman is aware that all this will catapult his career into ever greater fame and fortune. Indeed, Truman's interference does manage to get court appeals, and delays...so he winds up a 'player' in a deadly game of life and death.
It may be understandable that Truman developed a cross addiction to Vallium ( readily available in the 60's ) and alcohol. Truman eventually succumbed to death as a result of complications regarding this substance abuse.
That being said, it is about the face of evil. Evil we see more and more of every day on nightly TV..so much so in fact, that we are actually becoming numb to it. It is not a profound national shock to us as it was in the 'simple" 50's- although still quite disturbing.
A famous theologian/psychologist ("T") got an opportunity to interview a serial murderer ("M")while he was on death row awaiting execution. When "T" asked "M" about how he felt after his first murder, "M" related that he was horrified at what he had done; shook uncontrollably; couldn't sleep, etc. But after committing other murders, it became more easy, he explained. So easy, that eventually, he could come home after a murder, and watch TV, and eat potato chips. No big deal, you see?
Yes...there IS such a thing as "evil". It starts out small..and over time, becomes ever more heinous.
It will be some time before I watch another true crime story. Suffice it to say, that the Ten Commandments are not 'suggestions'. Breaking them does have dire consequences.
There is such a thing as "evil"; it has a name, and it has an army bent on bringing down God's favorite creation out of spite to HIM-however long it takes. Choose yoru friends carefully.

4 of 4 member(s) found this review helpful.

Sandi N. (DivaSandi) from CUMMING, GA
Reviewed on 6/17/2009...

Philip Seymour Hoffman once again plays a different character. I think he is one of the great actors in "Hollywood." I have loved all of his movies and really loved how he protrayed Capote in this movie. He really was CAPOTE! Of course the story about the killings in the movie was a true story and Capote really did write a book about the young men involved, as well as the story about the killing. I recommend this movie very highly!

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Gail F. from PITTSBURGH, PA
Reviewed on 2/20/2009...

gripping

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Eva S. (Eva79) from TOWNSEND, MA
Reviewed on 2/2/2009...

Capote, a thrilling insight into the depths a writer will go to get their story.

3 of 5 member(s) found this review helpful.