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Movie Description
Hollywood studios are notorious for liberally borrowing ideas from each other, with the resulting clutch of similarly-themed films often bewildering the public as they try to decide which movie to go and see. In 2005 Bennett Miller directed CAPOTE, an Oscar-winning dramatization of Truman Capote's traumatic experiences writing the celebrated novel IN COLD BLOOD. In 2006 Douglas McGrath (COMPANY MAN) directed INFAMOUS, a movie that follows exactly the same premise. Although it's difficult to see why such a story would need to be immortalized in celluloid for a second time, McGrath does throw in a few tricks to help separate the two films. Talking head interviews with some of Capote's contemporaries, such as Gore Vidal and Babe Paley, are used, and the movie has a lighter--almost comedic at times--feel to it than Miller's movie.
The basic premise of INFAMOUS is exactly the same as that of CAPOTE, so we witness Toby Jones's Capote traveling from New York to Kansas, settling into the town, interviewing the murderers, and developing an obsession with one of them--Perry Smith (Daniel Craig). Despite the similarities, salvation can be found in the performance of Jones, who lights up the screen with a performance that closely rivals Philip Seymour Hoffman's turn as the infamous author. Other notable appearances come from Sandra Bullock, who just about manages to nail Harper Lee; Sigourney Weaver and Isabella Rossellini, who both camp up their roles as socialites; Jeff Daniels as the detective who befriends Capote; and Gwyneth Paltrow, who makes a brief appearance as the singer Peggy Lee.
Industry Reviews
"Sandra Bullock is surprisingly good as Harper Lee....This may be the best performance Bullock has ever given, infused with ruefulness and compassion."
Movieline's Hollywood Life - Stephen Farber (09/01/2006)
"INFAMOUS is, in fact, prettier than CAPOTE, with every visual detail more voluptuous than in last year's sparer version. Jones himself is more voluptuous in his mannerisms than Hoffman, too..."
Entertainment Weekly - Lisa Schwarzbaum (10/20/2006)
"The film's most pleasing surprise is the beautifully nuanced portrait of Capote's confidante, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD author Harper Lee, by Sandra Bullock."
Rolling Stone - Peter Travers (10/19/2006)
"[T]his incarnation of the true-life story pushes the envelope further."
Box Office - Annlee Ellingson (11/01/2006)
Included in Entertainment Weekly's "Top 10 Films Of The Year" -- "Douglas McGrath's one-year-too-late companion piece is the bolder, zestier, more revelatory vision."
Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (12/29/2006)
3 stars out of 5 -- "Jones does sterling work in the bright and breezy first half..."
Total Film - Jamie Russell (07/01/2007)
3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he film benefits greatly from the sense of fun Jones brings to the role..."
Ultimate DVD - Chris Prince (06/29/2007)
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