‎Capote (2005) directed by Bennett Miller • Reviews, film + cast • Letterboxd

Capote

2005 Directed by Bennett Miller

In Cold Blood

A biopic of the writer, Truman Capote and his assignment for The New Yorker to write the non-fiction book, 'In Cold Blood'.

Philip Seymour Hoffman Allie Mickelson Craig Archibald Bronwen Coleman Kate Shindle David Wilson Barnes Michael J. Burg Catherine Keener Kwesi Ameyaw Andrew Farago Kelci Stephenson Chris Cooper Clifton Collins Jr Mark Pellegrino Amy Ryan Bruce Greenwood C. Ernst Harth

114 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Ryan Narc ★★★★½

Bennett Miller's fantastic Capote is a great example (out of many) that shows the brilliance of Philip Seymour Hoffman. May such an incredible actor - and from what I hear, an awesome person in general - rest in peace. I will truly miss seeing his name show up in the credits of future films.
Review by Marian ★★★★ 2

why did god take phillip seymour hoffman while woody allen is still alive and breathing.. of all the crusty old men to take from us ..
Review by Thomas McCallum ★★★½ 1

Performances : 9.1/10
Story : 6.1/10
Production : 7.2/10
Overall : 7.47/10

I wasn't in love with this film, the story was pretty lackluster. Luckily Phillip Seymour Hoffman is in it, and boy does he steal the show. He takes on the role of Truman Capote in such a way that I honest to god forgot that it was Hoffman.

Watch this for his performance, if for no other reason.
Review by Laura Raud ★★★★★ 6

At this point I will watch anything with Philip Seymour Hoffman's name on it and this I will never get tired of. Hoffman's and Collins Jr's performances are electric.
Review by Austin Gorski ★★★★½

"Sometimes when I think how good my book is going to be, I can't breathe."

Capote showcases subtlety in the best way possible. The low-key cinematography and lighting, the contained performances, and lack of any flashy camera or editing techniques all work in the films favor. Quite ironic when you consider that Truman Capote wasn't quite subtle about his opinions or beliefs about himself.

Instead of painting Capote as a monster who lied and manipulated people into getting what he wanted or showing him as someone who we should sympathize for, first-time director Bennett Miller confidently aims for middle ground and succeeds in doing so. Capote comes off as a human being, albeit a troubled one. He nevery seems to…
Review by Andy Summers ★★★

Philip Seymour Hoffman was an incredible acting talent. He burned brightly in numerous diverse roles where he made everyone around him shine that little bit brighter. When Hoffman won the Oscar for Best Actor back in 2006, few could argue that the New Yorker didn't deserve the accolade. Bennett Miller's film however, isn't quite as compelling as Hoffman's performance that holds it together.
I knew very little about Truman Capote before this film. In Cold Blood was a true-crime book that I'd heard of, but like many works of literature it was yet another that I'd never read. I think that helped here, the plot and story was both intriguing and disturbing in equal measure. The murder of the Clutter…

Recent reviews

Review by Jordan ★★★★½

It moves elegantly from fascinatingly distant to heartbreakingly touching.
Review by Nawafptfa ★★½

Rate 5.5
Review by secludix ★★★

(6/8 is "Good")
The main problem here is that this film wants to be about the making of In Cold Blood, but spends way too much time getting up to it. It also wants to try and explain the effect on Truman, and then does so sparingly. Focus!

Overall though I enjoyed it, Hoffman did well in his role and the setting felt quite grim and realistic (which is apt).
Review by Cliff Galiher ★★★★½

SAW: at the CineArts Palo Alto Square, with Mom and Dad
Review by Shtarkenfoul ★★★★★

Um, not my favorite performance by PSH, but he is fucking incredible in this. I pay more attention to how Bennett Miller directs this. I've lost count how many times I've watched this. "Go-to" category.

Clifton Collins Jr (Perry Smith) is ridiculous in this.
Review by bigcatthetall ★★★★½

This might be a "heat of the moment" type statement, but Phillip Seymour Hoffman was the goddamn greatest character actor who ever lived.
Review by Conor ★★★★

👌
Review by Noah ★★★★

Seymour-Hoffman is incredible. The movie would be nothing without him, but with him, is an absolute delight.
Review by SpaceCadetJuan ★★★

8/10 While I can see Hoffman winning an Oscar, this is another film I'm surprised was nominated for best picture. It's great looking, but there's a lot of talking. At the end of the day, they make the story of murder and justice seem kinda pedestrian. Capote is not a good sympathetic character, the closest is Harper Lee but she doesn't appear enough.