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Now I'm a dork and had to watch this movie because I'd already seen "Capote" and wanted to watch another movie basically take on the same subject. Like fanfiction, it is so very easy to tell the exact same story in completely different ways.
For those who don't know, both movies are about Truman Capote, brilliant writer and flaming jackass, investigating the infamous murders of the Clutter family in Kansas in 1959, how he wrote In Cold Blood about it, and basically how he got obsessed with the case/killers.
Both movies deal with the fact that Capote was an incredibly manipulative person, brilliant as I said, but lonely and needy. He bonded with one of the murderers, but how close he bonded with Perry Smith, and why, is really what both movies end up trying to explore.
I like both films. Don't get me wrong."Capote" shows off how dark and detached Capote could be, how he shared that in common with both killers. And "Capote" is cinematically the better film. The more polished. But, what it didn't do was show how clever and charming and witty Capote could be, and yet how all of that was just the act he did to keep people near him, loving him. So in "Infamous" you get Capote being brilliant and unapologetically flaming whether he was in Manhattan or in Kansas (what's the point of trying to hide it, with that voice?) but also being vulnerable and honest when he meets someone who is strangely similiar--Perry Smith.
It's here that I have to mention that Perry Smith is played by Daniel Craig, doing almost what he did with Bond. Someone who responds with violence because it's what they know, but who longs for something better. He could slit your throat or help you buy a kitten. Seriously. And Capote can't help responding to that. He is, after all, a guy who promises secrecy and honesty to his friends and then almost gleefully distorts the truth and what's on or off the record in order to make his story better.
(Which brought up interesting detachment/defense mechanisms in writers, at least to me, how he keeps trying to filter his pain through his characters and stay distant...which only works until Perry calls him on it in the most violent --and hot--- way possible).
And that's another thing...while I don't know how open with his sexuality his friends were, the movie doesn't shy away from it. Nor does it shy from the interesting possibility that "Capote" only suggested, that he fell in love with Perry despite his intentions, and Perry fell in love with him despite knowing Capote was full of shit.
Toby Jones, btw, who plays Capote in this....fuckin' amazing. That's all I can say. This movie had me sort of insanely turned on, and laughing, and then about to cry because I LOVE DOOMED AND TRAGIC GAY LOVE.
*ahem*
All in all, watch them both. Liked "Capote". Loved "Infamous".
And oh yes, did I mention Daniel Craig doing sensitive brute in a wifebeater, all tatted up? mmmm.
"You're in control until you're not."
For those who don't know, both movies are about Truman Capote, brilliant writer and flaming jackass, investigating the infamous murders of the Clutter family in Kansas in 1959, how he wrote In Cold Blood about it, and basically how he got obsessed with the case/killers.
Both movies deal with the fact that Capote was an incredibly manipulative person, brilliant as I said, but lonely and needy. He bonded with one of the murderers, but how close he bonded with Perry Smith, and why, is really what both movies end up trying to explore.
I like both films. Don't get me wrong."Capote" shows off how dark and detached Capote could be, how he shared that in common with both killers. And "Capote" is cinematically the better film. The more polished. But, what it didn't do was show how clever and charming and witty Capote could be, and yet how all of that was just the act he did to keep people near him, loving him. So in "Infamous" you get Capote being brilliant and unapologetically flaming whether he was in Manhattan or in Kansas (what's the point of trying to hide it, with that voice?) but also being vulnerable and honest when he meets someone who is strangely similiar--Perry Smith.
It's here that I have to mention that Perry Smith is played by Daniel Craig, doing almost what he did with Bond. Someone who responds with violence because it's what they know, but who longs for something better. He could slit your throat or help you buy a kitten. Seriously. And Capote can't help responding to that. He is, after all, a guy who promises secrecy and honesty to his friends and then almost gleefully distorts the truth and what's on or off the record in order to make his story better.
(Which brought up interesting detachment/defense mechanisms in writers, at least to me, how he keeps trying to filter his pain through his characters and stay distant...which only works until Perry calls him on it in the most violent --and hot--- way possible).
And that's another thing...while I don't know how open with his sexuality his friends were, the movie doesn't shy away from it. Nor does it shy from the interesting possibility that "Capote" only suggested, that he fell in love with Perry despite his intentions, and Perry fell in love with him despite knowing Capote was full of shit.
Toby Jones, btw, who plays Capote in this....fuckin' amazing. That's all I can say. This movie had me sort of insanely turned on, and laughing, and then about to cry because I LOVE DOOMED AND TRAGIC GAY LOVE.
*ahem*
All in all, watch them both. Liked "Capote". Loved "Infamous".
And oh yes, did I mention Daniel Craig doing sensitive brute in a wifebeater, all tatted up? mmmm.
"You're in control until you're not."
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I ought to read these things now. (You know, I was considering whether my love for this movie was really just me classically avoiding crap that is my life with a new obsession... and the answer is probably. :) but oh well. It's Daniel Craig--tortured and gay and in love---)
Lots of women equate sex with acceptance and love. I think it screws you up all the way around. If you're gay and living in the fifties...
Thugs, huh? Trying to relive something (or someone)?????
Naughty Truman.
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There was another blue-collar type in there and then the bank V.P., who was really just a thug in a tie. THAT was a twisted relationship because this guy was married and introduced Truman to his family and then when the relationship started to go sour (like right away), Truman started to co-op members of John's family to use against him. Actually became friends with John's daughter, who he tried to play Pygmalion with, introduced her to N.Y. society, arranged a few photo shoots. Essentially to torture John. Even paid John's wife a few bucks. Acted liked a surrogate husband. It was WEIRD!
If you like historical novels, you can't beat Gore Vidal's Washington series. You should read them in order. Burr is his most amusing, Lincoln his best. I CRIED when I read that book it was so well done. Truman vacillates between brilliance and cattiness. In Cold Blood is superb, really his best, but I also enjoy his short stories.
Norman Mailer I despise, but then I find it difficult to read writers who hate women. His misogyny is so in your face that it makes reading him impossible for me.
And obsession to avoid crap in your life? Why do you think I write fanfiction?
From:
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Truman sounds very Lawrence of Arabia-esque. mmmm. lovelovelove. I actually read the Seven Pillars of Wisdom after first seeing that movie. Obsess much? Why yes. :)
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