Watch "Capote" and then watch this. They are films from the same exact story but they are remarkably different. Aptly titled, this film tells the story of Truman Capote writing the book "In Cold Blood," a tale that has truly become so infamous that this title is utterly appropriate.

This film is much more colorful and campy and gay than "Capote.". It is nearly opposite in tone and texture from the earlier film. And while Phillip Seymour Hoffman certainly deserved an Oscar for his performance in the monochromatic version of this story, Toby Jones deserves just as much kudos for infusing the tale with color, gaiety, charm, wit and life. After seeing this film, I really want to go back and re-watch "Capote" because I don't recall Hoffman bringing anything homosexual to the role. Jones is so gay he practically bounces off the kitschy 50's Midwestern, upper-middle-class decor here. It's truly a remarkable character and characterization. In "Capote" it seems we believe that the author has to "tone down" his persona before he could win over the rubes with charm and stories of Hollywood glamour. Here, in Jones' able hands, Capote wins over the townspeople even though he refuses to tone down his homosexuality. It makes him seem all the more sly for being able to get inside this story and find out what happened.

With all this open sexuality in Jones' portrayal, it seems no accident that the relationship between Capote and Perry Smith becomes electrified with sexuality as well. As Smith, Daniel Craig bring a smoldering ruggedness masking a innate sensuality. There seem far more complex and intricate emotions at play here between the two men. "Capote" made us feel like they understood each other; "Infamous" makes us feel that, in another time and place, they might have fallen even more deeply in love.

As a film, "Infamous" is compelling, unique and complex. As a companion piece to "Capote," it becomes even more so, helping us to understand the story more deeply as well as offering an insight to the perception of homosexuality in America over the last 60 years.

Notes:

Also with Sandra Bullock (as Harper Lee), Sigourney Weaver (as Mrs. Bill "Babe" Paley), Juliet Stevenson (as Diana Vreeland), Michael Panes (as Gore Vidal), Peter Bogdonavich (as Bennett Cerf), Gwyneth Paltrow, Hope Davis, Isabella Rosellini, Jeff Daniels, and Turk Pipkin.

Christine Vachon and Killer Films were behind the picture.

Score by Rachael Portman.

At times Mark Wahlberg and Mark Ruffalo were set to play Smith. Michelle Pfeiffer was to play the role that eventually went to Davis. Samantha Morton was eventually replaced by Bullock as Lee.

Filmed in and around Austin, as well as other Texas locations, and in New York.

Viewed in Austin in October of 2006 at The AMC Barton Creek. It was a Wednesday night, the 10:30pm show and I was the only one in there. The ushers had not cleaned the theater from the prior show. It was gross.

Report Card

Script: A+

Acting: A+

Cinematography\Lighting: A+

Special Effects\Make Up: A+

Music: A+

Final Grade: A+