The biggest obstacle to loving Bennett Miller’s new biopic Capote is the highly effeminate voice Philip Seymour Hoffman uses to portray one of America’s greatest writers. Although necessary to play the gay author of such masterworks as Breakfast at Tiffany’s, at times the drawl can be distracting and annoying. Once you’ve acclimated, though, you can enjoy a pretty solid picture and possible Oscar contender.

In the film, Truman Capote is a fashion-savvy New Yorker looking for his next big project. He sets out to write a genre-defying non-fiction work on the brutal murder of a family in Kansas and its aftermath on the community. Accompanying Capote to the scene of the crime is his childhood friend and budding author Nelle Harper Lee (Catherine Keener). Capote immerses himself into the community and befriends the murderers while researching his eventual piece de resistance, In Cold Blood.

Hoffman’s performance is phenomenal. Every syllable uttered and slight motion of the hand is perfectly executed to play the flamboyant and self-centered writer. Although Hoffman has shown his versatility in The Talented Mister Ripley and Magnolia, his believable portrayal of eccentric Capote is a true testament to his abilities. Keener, an extraordinary actress, shines as Harper Lee (author of To Kill a Mockingbird), contrasting Capote’s extravagance with her modest Southern cordiality. Relatively unknown actor Clifton Collins, Jr. also makes a strong impression enigmatic murderer Perry Smith, the recipient of Capote’s sympathy.

One of the downfalls of this film is its glorification of the two murderers. At various parts of the film, when Capote and Smith show a great deal of admiration for each other, you’ll want to scream, “Am I the only who remembers he shot four innocent people?!”

But whether or not you agree with the actions of the characters, Capote is a beautifully crafted film with a stellar cast.

– Alex Brown