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In 1959 all four members of the Clutter family were murdered during the night, two in their beds and two in the basement. From such a small Kansas town, nationwide interest in the story developed. But one man wanted to take a different approach to telling it. Truman Capote (Toby Jones) didn't want to just tell the facts, and wasn't particularly interested in whether the case was solved, instead he wanted to look at how such a high profile murder case affected the small town, where everyone knows everybody and suspicion is ripe.
His book changes tract slightly after suspects are brought in, and instead it becomes more the murders' side. For this Truman needs to get in to speak to the suspects directly so him and his best friend Harper Lee (Sandra Bullock) travel to Kansas. After initially hitting some barriers, Capote's contacts manage to get him on the inside, and the research begins. Over the next five years, Capote was in contact with the suspects, both face to face and in letters. His relationship with them became more than just business, especially with Dick, with who Capote developed a very close relationship. His book was a national success, but it came at a great personal cost.
Infamous
looks at how their relationship grows as Capote learns all he can for his book, entitled 'In Cold Blood'. The movie cuts back and forth between the story in hand, and 'interview' shots. Various characters from the movie sit individually in a studio and comment on Capote, in the same way as stars would talk about their movies with reporters. Its not made clear who the characters are talking to, sometimes they look directly into the camera, while at other times they look to the side of it. These interviews serve to show aspects of Truman that he can't himself, kind of mini-testimonies, and give a vast array of character development. While they do add something to the movie, the interview scenes do make it feel slightly disjointed at times.
Capote's sexuality seems to be quite a prominent aspect to the storyline, from his openly camp manner to his unique wardrobe. There are times when it feels slightly 'shoved in your face' but on the whole its just another plot point, building together into a complete story.
The movie is rated R/15. There are scenes with particularly bad language, violent nature and one scene of explicit sexual nature. Personally I think the sex scene is completely unnecessary, as is just two people having sex in the background while other things go on in the foreground.
Unlike things I have heard about the movie Capote, which covers the same period of Truman's life, Infamous contains a lot of humour and comical aspects of his life for the first half of the movie. As the movie progresses, and Capote grows closer to the suspects, the humour steps aside to reveal a more serious and moving nature. While the ending is somewhat inevitable (its even mentioned several times in the movie that there can only be two possible outcomes for murders - life or death), you forget about that as the scenes play out before you. The ending is powerful and emotive in a way few movies manage to achieve. There are scenes are of a disturbing nature, but its done in an artistic way that keeps the emphasis, but removes vulgarity.
The cast is flawless. After Philip Seymore Hoffman's performance as Capote the year before, Toby Jones had a hard act to follow, but he manages to do it superbly and brings qualities to the part that give the two men very unique performances. Sandra Bullock shows that she has far more than we've ever seen before with this role. From the accent to the hair-do, she has the role down to a tee. Daniel Craig (the new Bond) puts in a great performance as Perry (one of the suspects) and really nailed the accent.
The movie is set at the end of the 1950's and into the 60's. The wardrobe, soundtrack, even shooting locations have all be well chosen to create the perfect atmosphere for the intended date. As well as some Jazzy, contemporary pieces, there are several slower, more moving tracks which make up the soundtrack to give the movie a very whole feel.
In the movie, pretty much everybody smokes. For some reason though, the smoke from the cigarettes really irritated me! It seemed to rise too fast, in every scene! It probably seems like a neurotic point, but at times I found I was watching the smoke, and not the scene, so I'd have to skip back a minute or two to see what I'd missed!
I did read the book In Cold Blood a few years ago, and while its not necessary for you to understand the movie it does prove to be an interesting insight. This is movie is quite a masterpiece. It's beautifully shot with a superb cast and soundtrack. While it covers the same period in his life as Capote, Infamous is a different movie with an alternate view of the same events.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: John Duigan - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Penelope Cruz
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Advantages: Gives those not born and those that witnessed it the chance to see England in their greatest sporting triumph. Disadvantages: Price is a little hefty
![Infamous [DVD] [2006]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78054576.jpg "Infamous [DVD] [2006]")
Feb 12th, 2007
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