MovieChat Forums > Capote (2006) Discussion > I didn't much like this movie..

I didn't much like this movie..

posted 13 years ago by Mister_Strife
16 replies | jump to latest

Because to me Capote comes off as a despicable, weak human being. I didn't feel the slightest shed of sympathy for Capote's "friend", being the killer that he is (or for Capote himself, for that matter). I think the movie failed utterly to let the audience relate to Capote and feel sympathy for the victims.

Throughout the movie, I was waiting for a moment that would endear Perry to me, but I was disappointed to learn that such a moment would never quite come. More oddly, it's like they didn't even try. Perry felt bad about the nice man being afraid of him? How does that lead to you slitting his throat?

As a way of telling a true story, this movie succeeds brilliantly. The acting, atmosphere and writing are great. I guess I just don't much care for the original story itself.

Does anyone else feel this way?

[–] Mark-167 13 years ago

No.

[–] katysheffield 13 years ago

Just curious - have you read "In Cold Blood?"

I felt the attachment to Perry was obvious, though I've read the novel. My friend did not find Perry endearing either, but had not read the novel.

[–] ElectricKoolaidAcid 13 years ago

I felt Perry pretty endearing in this movie, and I haven't even read the book.

But what I DIDN'T like, however, was the end credits stating how "Truman Capote has become the most famous writer in America..." or something along those lines. That is absolutely BS, self-serving propaganda. He never won a Pulitzer prize. (Though his friend Harper did- how ironic.) Everyone is required to read To Kill A Mockingbird in junior high...not any of Capote's books. By freshman comp in college most people have heard of, if not been required to read Faulkner, Twain, Steinbeck, Salinger, etc. Hell even Isaac Asimov, Stephen King, and Tennesse Williams (also in the movie, ironically) are more household-name worthy than Capote!

That was just a laugh. Truly. Maya Angelou would have a stroke if she watched the end credits. Was Capote ever even nominated for a Pulitzer? I don't think so.

[–] lleeott 11 years ago

It didn't say "had become" it said "he became", that's very different. At the time, that specific book was the #1 best seller and it launched him into being the most famous writer of the time. So yes, since then Harper has succeeded him as being more famous, along with many other writers. But for the time he was the most famous in America.

[–] mityawp 13 years ago

If you read In Cold Blood, you will find that Capote goes into a lot of back story and detail about both Perry Smith and Dick Hickcock. He highlights their humble beginnings and the path that led them to the Clutter murders. His interpretation on screen may have not seemed "sympathetic" towards them, but the actual book is stunning. Capote writes them as endearing, but their actions show them as murderers and he doesn't stray from that either. He gives a very well rounded representation of them both in his book.

I highly suggest the book. It was an amazing piece of literature and I think the movie serves as an exceptional history of the books manifestation.

[–] cliddelltext 11 years ago

Sorry you didn't like the story. I guess, the facts of history should be changed so you can have a more enjoyable time at the movies.

[–] lleeott 11 years ago

I watched "Infamous" before watching this one and in that movie I think you get why Capote has sympathy for Perry Smith and you find him more endearing (or maybe it's just because Daniel Craig played Perry and I find him endearing to begin with).

A lot of people have compared both movies to say which is better, but they're both so different in approaching the story that I couldn't compare. I thought "Infamous" had better character development for Capote and gave you better insight into the killers. I felt like "Capote" did a better job of showing his demise and anguish from getting involved with the killers and a better job of showing what he did to write the story.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] franzkabuki 11 years ago

Why would it be necessary to "endear" either Capote or Perry to the audience? I don´t get it. Especially with the expert character development these two are treated to here.

"facts are stupid things" - Ronald Reagan

[–] Roonil_Wazlib_97 9 years ago

What character development? I found very little to none and what was there was unconvincing.

[–] PotassiumMan 10 years ago

I was surprised by how slow this film is, and I'm normally very easygoing as far as biopics go. You see, it wasn't until the last 30 minutes that this film started coming to life, but even then I found myself oddly disengaged from wanting to tap into Truman Capote's conflicted, distraught mindset as the executions neared.