Infamous

Dir: Douglas McGrath

2006

****

It's a bit of a bizarre phenomena in cinema but nearly every year there are at least two films that come out in quick succession that are about exactly the same subject. There was no big reason why both Capote and Infamous came out within a year of each other, it was pure coincidence, and the unfortunate and rather typical result in these cases, was that the second film (Infamous in this case) was overshadowed by the first. Both films tell the origins of Truman Capote's hit novel In Cold Blood, a 'nonfiction' based on the murder trial and eventual executions of Perry Smith and Richard Hickock. Capote was allowed access to Smith's cell and the pair formed a bond. Capote's interviews with Smith formed the novel and it was a huge hit and is now considered a modern classic. Douglas McGrath's version of events plays out like a standard drama, with interweaving interviews with Capote's friends (supposedly taking place after Capote's death I think!?) and moments of pure fantasy. Unlike Bennett Miller's Capote, Infamous includes a lot of fantasy and Capote, quite rightly, is seen to be a bit of a fantasist who liked to spin a yarn. It's also safe to say that it is a more honest portrayal of the author in that he did take advantage of certain people and situations, he exaggerated and was somewhat two-faced. I don't doubt the late author would have hated both films but from what I've read and from what his close friends have said, Toby Jones' performance is the most successful performance of the two. While Philip Seymour Hoffman's award winning turn was more imitation, Jones' was more the embodiment of the man and his work. The fantasy elements all came from McGrath but one could argue that they were created in the author's style. It's subjective, much like Capote's novel. Toby Jones is awesome. The supporting cast is impressive but doesn't bring a lot to the film other than star power. I thought Sandra Bullock was just as good as Harper Lee than Catherine Keener was in Capote and I liked Jeff Daniels' Alvin Dewey and thought John Benjamin Hickey's Jack Dunphy deserved more screen time. The weak link in this production is Daniel Craig's Perry Smith. I found his performance to be unconvincing, particularly when up against Jones' powerful portrayal. If I had to pick my favorite of the two I would pick Capote for it's depth if story and realism and Infamous for the exploration of myth and character but the fact is they're both very different films and as good as each other.