I liked it.... - Bill McNeal - Films/DVD Asylum

I liked it....

Posted by Bill McNeal (A) on February 8, 2006 at 20:23:30

In Reply to: "Capote:" why all the enthusiasm? posted by tinear on February 8, 2006 at 14:14:58:

Well, I disagree with tinear on this one. I found Hoffman's performance excellent -- a slight underplay of an overplaying character. I don't think this is that easy. Combine this performance with his excellent portrait of Brian Molony in the (okay) "Owning Mahowney", and I think we're talking maybe one of the finest contemporary actors.

I was riveted by this film. Found it to be a simple artistic portrait of a distinctive character at a turning point in his life and career.

To me, it's significant that the film is a much better presentation of its subject than the piece of book on which it's based (something like 20 or 30 pages of the biography, if I recall correctly).

I found the cinematography good. The New York scenes, rather realistically set, played off against the Midwest in a thoughtful manner, in my opinion.

How in the world Truman Capote ever got through "In Cold Blood" always puzzled me. Perhaps this prejudices me in favor of the film. For that matter, I suspect that a young audience which knows nothing of the "TV set" Truman Capote may react quite differently than an oldtimer like me.

No disrespect meant at all to tinear, but I think the fact that the scenes don't "sparkle or crackle" is, in this case, intentional -- part of the set, as it were. One thing I respect about "Capote" is just that -- it doesn't try to swat you. I fact, I thought that the one swat -- the brief view of the murder -- was useful in setting itself off against the more contemplative depiction of a sensitive, brilliant, determined, conceited man forcefully facing up to some elements of his past and present. Some, not all, which again seemed significant to me.

I think I'm beginning to run on here, and I'm tired, so I'll stop. Again, I'm not trying to disrespect anyone else's opinion on this one. I suspect it's a film that provokes reaction rather personally.

Bill

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - "Capote:" why all the enthusiasm? - tinear 14:14:58 02/08/06 (12)

Because it's... - Harmonia 17:45:47 02/09/06 (2)

Thanks for the lecture. It ALMOST seems you are praising the - tinear 05:20:46 02/10/06 (0)

Well put... - Jabberwock 18:58:53 02/09/06 (0)

Loved the performance... was ultimately a bit bored by the movie. - sjb 22:51:20 02/08/06 (0)

I liked it.... - Bill McNeal 20:23:30 02/08/06 (2)

Me too... - Harmonia 17:24:41 02/09/06 (0)

Offense, hell, disagreements are what makes this place interesting! (Spoiler to follow!!) - tinear 09:23:07 02/09/06 (0)

Agreed this film is not best picture material -- disagree... - RGA 18:06:57 02/08/06 (2)

all of the best picture nominations, only one came within a hare's breadth of greatness - padreken 10:58:34 02/10/06 (0)

I, OTOH, was... - Harmonia 17:47:30 02/09/06 (0)

impersonation is not the point - tunenut 15:29:55 02/08/06 (1)

As I said, I was not bored at first but there seemed to be no dramatic - tinear 18:27:02 02/08/06 (0)

Follow Ups

I liked it.... - Bill McNeal 20:23:30 02/08/06 (2)

Me too... - Harmonia 17:24:41 02/09/06 (0)

Offense, hell, disagreements are what makes this place interesting! (Spoiler to follow!!) - tinear 09:23:07 02/09/06 (0)

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