Infamous (2006)

More Complelling Than "Capote"

Comparions to Hoffman's Capote are inevitable given the proximity of the two releases as well as the fact the two films deal with exactly the same subject. "Capote" painted broader strokes while "Infamous" was somewhat more specific. Lastly, Toby Jones was simply overshadowed by the more popular, Phillip Seymour Hoffman,

I vividly remember Truman Capote on the TV talk-show circuit and Toby captured the same deliberately profound annoyance that Capote seemed to wallow in. I read "In Cold Blood" in high school and it was indeed an excellent book - quite well-written, though chilling in its subject matter as well as the treatment. But as a personality, Truman was a most uncomfortable sight - I readily admit that my being a black, gay teenager certainly colored (no pun intended) my perceptions. Tennesse Williams & James Baldwin, both gay literary contemporaries of Capote were equally uncomfortable, (and equally talented/troubled).

"Infamous" deals most intimately with Capote's relationship with Perry while researching and writing "In Cold Blood". Their performances are at the core of the movie. Jones & Craig give wrenching performances giving the implications the movie makes enormous credibility. Sandra Bullock as Harper Lee, the author of 'To Kill A Mockingbird" (another classic) is simply wonderful. Quite frankly, it is some of the best work I have ever seen from her.

Even more interesting is that this particular perspective of the machinations behind the famous novel still take a back seat to a much more intimate situation lots of people find themselves in but that is rarely so beautifully addressed.

It is this aspect of the movie that made the biggest impression upon me.

In the beginning, it is obvious Capote is totally opportunistic in his quest to actually interview one of the killers. His book is his focal point. The film wonderully suggests that Capote was just as shocked (and pleased) to realize he cared deeply for Perry - and Perry for him. And this was not an easy road for either to travel. More importanly, the evolution of their relationship was not based on their sexuality.

This is a classic example of individual instances (quite common) where a gay/lesbian person forges a close relationship with someone straight - both sides initially having serious apprehensions about the other, only to have this complicated with genuine feelings developing on both sides. The inevitable result is that neither side knows quite how to deal with those genuine feelings. After wading through all the mud, the lesson learned is that two people, if they allow themselves to, can forget race, color, age, economics, gender, or any other useless category and simply allow themselves to genuinely care about each other. (yeah, it went there for me)

I mean to take nothing away from Hoffman's "Capote". Both films provide insight; they present two alternative perspectives and I highly recommend both projects.

It is simply that as an art form 'Infamous" more closely meets the general objective I believe all art forms aspire to - to open/elevate the dialogue. June 19, 2008

Not as Good as the 'Other' Movie

I give it three stars for two main reasons: (1) Toby Jones' acting was almost a caricature of Capote and was often laughable, intentionally so, I felt; and, (2) "Capote" was a much more sensitive and nuanced film. But, even with three stars, I found this film to be compelling nevertheless. It was interesting making the comparisons between the two films, and how they each differed slightly. They were both good films, but I would give "Capote" five stars, compared to three for this one. April 30, 2008

Very good film, fascinating comparison

Same characters, same subject matter, made simultaneously, resulting in two totally dissimilar, yet equally interesting films. The two films more than complement each other. They're a perfect matched set. March 11, 2008

and the winner is........

i'm a big fan of philip seymour hoffman and, at the same time, know very little about toby jones. having viewed mr. jones in another excellent movie recently, "the painted veil", i thought he was very good in that film.
if i had to give an award for what version of capote's trials in writing "in cold blood" was better, i would present the award to "infamous."
the biggest difference in the films is the relationship that exists between perry smith and capote, and because i do not know which one is more accurate, i thought their connection was more interesting in "infamous."
from what i know of the real truman capote (he was a regular guest on the johnny carson show), the toby jones portrayal was ,imo, more spot on
than hoffman's.
to sum up, both films are of excellent quality, but the winner is "infamous." February 8, 2008

On Par With "Capote"

I love the movie "Infamous" just as equally as I do the movie "Capote". Both movies are phenomenally well done in their own right. However, I personally thought Toby Jones gave a better performance of Truman Capote then Philip Seymour Hoffman did by a long shot.

Daniel Craig gives a rougher, more harder edge to Perry Smith's character in "Infamous", whereas Clifton Collins Jr. portrayal of Perry Smith in "Capote" was a lot softer, more gentle... It seemed as though Perry Smith was portrayed as more of a little boy lost in "Capote" and more of the hardened criminal in "Infamous" that one would expect him to be.

Truman Capote in "Infamous" seemed to be more compassionate towards the criminals and more caring towards them. Whereas the Truman Capote portrayed in "Capote", seemed to be just using the criminals as a means to end and that end was to use them in order to write his masterpiece "In Cold Blood". December 30, 2007

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