A FAMOUS MAN’S TEAR OVER A PRISONER

A movie review on "Capote"

November 15, 1959

Two men broke in a quiet farm house in Kansas and murdered an entire family of four. A well-renowned American author became interested on this case and decided to write a novel about it. In the process, he befriended the two criminals who are suspects of the crime and by order of the court, are sentenced to death. In the end, the author found himself changed because of a relationship between men behind bars and an author found at the summit of stardom.

Academy award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the role of author Truman Capote in the film “Capote”, directed by Bennett Miller. Based on a true story, it was given many positive feedbacks by critics across America.

The setting of the film is on the early 1960s. The movie was able to establish many elements that can traverse the viewer on this time. The costumes of the actors and the actresses, the houses, the prisons, and even some of the items such as the telephones and vehicles, the viewer can tell that the setting of the film is in the past just by looking at these elements because of their 60’s appearance.

The acting of the characters is good, especially that of Hoffman’s. Truman Capote is a gay author and he was able to pull that off by his gestures and the way he talks. The viewer can easily say that he is gay because of his fascinating actions.

There is not much camera movements on the film and it’s purely camera switching. There are also very few music in it and the music in the beginning of the film is what the viewer would usually hear all throughout the movie. It’s also pure talk and without a subtitle or a sharp ear, the viewer would find it hard to understand what is going on with the story.

The plot, however, is good. A relationship between a famous author and a prisoner is very unique and is not seen or heard everyday, and to understand the side of a man behind bars can get touching.

Some people say that the only permanent thing around is change. For Truman Capote, change could come to you from different directions. It would be very nice to shed a tear to someone whom you thought doesn’t deserve it.

“More tears are shed over answered prayers than unanswered ones.”
-Truman Capote