As someone who greatly enjoyed Phillip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Truman Capote in 2005 I must say I had reservations about seeing Infamous. Naturally I feared it could be a direct plagiarism reminiscent of Gus Van Sant's Psycho-the same film with a different cast. Luckily, Infamous, although telling the same story as Capote as Capote (2006) took a completely different approach.
Infamous is nowhere near as dark a film as Capote. Instead of opening with a scene depict the murders of the Clutters, Infamous opens with a dinner party reflecting Truman's socialite status. This is an aspect of Truman that the film draws heavily on often as a comedic device.
Infamous depicts the life of Truman Capote as he investigates the events of the murder of a family in Holcomb, Kansas; the research that would become his most heralded work-In Cold Blood. The focal point of Truman's work is the murderers mainly Perry Smith (Daniel Craig).
Our main protagonist is not necessarily a character that we like, Truman is a bitchy unpleasant character who you can't help but spend most of the film looking foe redeeming characters in. His disregard for the emotions of others including his so-called friends is callous. Truman is the embodiment of the 1950s socialite-uncaring, flamboyant, and bitchy. You can't help but breath a sigh of relief when finally, one hour into the film we finally feel for Truman and remember that he is human.
Toby Jones' portray of Truman Capote is breathtaking. He powerfully illustrates the variety of dimensions of his character. He is colourful and ostentatious yet still emotive. He completely takes on the role at hand and runs with it. Portraying the plain and natural Nelle Harper lee, Truman's best friend, is Sandra Bullock. The role did not require an overly emotive performance and this is not what Sandra Bullock does. What she does do is subtlety convey the complex emotions her character holds, emotions that the audience sees but her superficial best friend does not. One word: amazing. Daniel Craig plays Perry Smith, a enigma we can never truly solve. He convincingly illustrates the rage his character often feels. However, it is the lesser emotions that are less believable.
One of the aspects of th film that stand out to anyone walking past a poster for it is the impressive cast; Sigourney Weaver, Isabella Rossellini, Gwyneth Paltrow, names we'd all recognise. However, if you watch the film for some of the these names (Isabella Rossellini and Gwyneth Paltrow in particular) you would be rather disappointed. Rossellini and Paltrow have one scene each so it is really misleading to put their names on the film advertising.
The acting (mainly), cinematography and direction of the film are highly impressive but the film falters greatly in one area, realism. Most aspects of the film are in the opinion of this reviewer, too dramatised and exaggerated to be consider believable. This is of course a huge area to fail in when attempting to tell a true story. Other than this, Infamous is largely notable and I would recommend it even to the Capote fans.
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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]")
Jan 31st, 2008
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