| | | There's More to the Story than You Know.
Features: DVD, Widescreen, Pan and Scan (TV Format), English, French, Spanish, Subtitled
1959 Manhattan was a party, and none of the glitterati glittered brighter than Truman Capote. Then he saw a story in The New York Times: "Wealthy Farmer, 3 of Family Slain," and the party ended for Capote. He plunged into the murder case that inspired his great "nonfiction novel" In Cold Blood and led him into a fevered relationship with one of the two doomed killers. But there's more to the story than you know. Toby Jones (as Capote) leads Sandra Bullock, Daniel Craig, Sigourney Weaver and many more stars in a witty, moving and astonishing tale of obsession. What happened to the extraordinary literary talent that burned within Truman Capote? The answer may be found in a story at once famous and Infamous.
"Dizzy with celebrity, New York society and gay life, Infamous is more fun (than Capote)." Kyle Smith, New York Post
"Infamous is the better Capote film." Scott Foundas, L.A. Weekly
"...a riveting, well-made picture." Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
Editor's Note
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.
| Features | Audio Commentary | | Audio: English, French, Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound | | Dubbed: French, Spanish | | Interactive Menus | | Scene Selection | | Subtitles: English, French, Spanish |
| Technical Info
|
Release Information
| | Studio: Warner |
| Release Date: 4/15/2008 |
| Running Time: 118 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2006 | | Catalog ID: 113738 | | UPC: 00085391137382 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Available Subtitles: English, French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Widescreen 1.85:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Nominee (2007) | | | Independent Spirit, Daniel Craig, Best Supporting Male |
|
| | Professional Reviews | Movieline's Hollywood Life
"Sandra Bullock is surprisingly good as Harper Lee....This may be the best performance Bullock has ever given, infused with ruefulness and compassion." 09/01/2006 p.102Entertainment Weekly
"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..." 10/20/2006 p.55-56 Rolling Stone
"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." 10/19/2006 p.138 Box Office
"[T]his incarnation of the true-life story pushes the envelope further." 11/01/2006 112 Entertainment Weekly
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." 12/29/2006 p.108 Total Film
3 stars out of 5 -- "Jones does sterling work in the bright and breezy first half..." 07/01/2007 p.103 Ultimate DVD
3 stars out of 5 -- "[T]he film benefits greatly from the sense of fun Jones brings to the role..." 06/29/2007 p.30 ReelViews 8 of 10
Another year, another movie about Truman Capote. However, despite covering much the same ground as last year's Capote, Douglas McGrath's Infamous doesn't feel like a remake. The events are the same, but the tone and perspective are different. Capote was at times cool and antiseptic, but Infamous is warmer and more emotionally satisfying. The deep-rooted cynicism that characterized Capote isn't missing here, but it has been muted. It's fair to argue that, while Capote may have the better lead acting performance, Infamous may be more accessible...It's the differences in approach that makes both movies worth watching on their own terms. Capote is the more intellectual of the two films; Infamous is the more emotional. They exist to complement, not eclipse, one another. - James Berardinelli
Reel.com 10 of 10
Philip Seymour Hoffman played Truman Capote and won an Oscar for it. Just what kind of prize are they going to have to invent to reward English actor Toby Jones? Hoffman was great, no doubt about it, but until you've seen Jones in Douglas McGrath's Infamous, you haven't seen Truman Capote - unless you happen to catch the real deal on an ancient Dick Cavett rerun...a triumph for McGrath, Jones, and the rest of the large and talented cast. This is simply a terrific movie, a marvelous re-creation of an era and an homage to a brilliant artist - however much of a handful he may have been. Capote received many accolades; Infamous deserves many more. - Pam Grady
|
| |
|
|
|
