Infamous (2006)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Douglas McGrath

Writers (WGA):

Douglas McGrath (screenplay)
George Plimpton (book)

Release Date:

16 November 2006 (Israel)

Genre:

Biography | Crime | Drama

Tagline:

There's more to the story than you know

Plot:

While researching his book In Cold Blood, writer Truman Capote develops a close relationship with convicted murderers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith.

Plot Keywords:

Blood | Writer | Book | Truman Capote | Kansas

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Sigourney Weaver	...	Babe Paley
Toby Jones	...	Truman Capote
Gwyneth Paltrow	...	Kitty Dean
Sandra Bullock	...	Nelle Harper Lee
Isabella Rossellini	...	Marella Agnelli
Peter Bogdanovich	...	Bennett Cerf
Rey Arteaga	...	El Morocco Band
Jeff Daniels	...	Alvin Dewey
Daniel Craig	...	Perry Smith
Justin Sherburn	...	El Morocco Band
Andrew Halbreich	...	El Morocco Band
Juliet Stevenson	...	Diana Vreeland
Michael Panes	...	Gore Vidal
Hope Davis	...	Slim Keith
Frank G. Curcio	...	William Shawn (as Frank Curcio)

Also Known As:

Every Word Is True (USA) (working title)
Have You Heard? (USA) (working title)
Untitled Douglas McGrath Movie (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, violence and some sexuality.

Runtime:

110 min | Canada:118 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | Croatia:118 min (DVD)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

USA:R | Malaysia:(Banned) | Ireland:16 | Portugal:M/16 | UK:15 | USA:R (certificate #42330) | Singapore:M18 | Netherlands:12 | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-15 | Australia:M | New Zealand:M

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Company:

Jack and Henry Productions Inc.

Trivia:

Mark Wahlberg was originally attached to play Perry Smith, but dropped out in August, 2004. He was replaced in October, 2004 by Mark Ruffalo until he dropped out as well.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: Vacuum-formed yellow "Dollar General" sign visible as Perry and Dicky are being brought in by the police. The Dollar General name was not used until 1968.

Quotes:

Gore Vidal: [on Truman's voice] To the lucky person who has never heard it, I can only say: imagine what a brussel sprout would sound like, if a brussel sprout could talk.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in "MADtv: (#12.7)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

How High the Moon

If Brussel Sprouts could talk

Greetings again from the darkness. What a unique film-going experience. Having the opportunity to see two takes on the same subject matter within a year or so is pretty rare in Hollywood. It happened most recently with "Tombstone" and the vastly inferior "Wyatt Earp". Rarely does it happen when both films are exceptionally well made and acted ... as is the case with last year's "Capote" and now, "Infamous".

First of all, you must understand that the films are actually based on different books. "Infamous" is based on George Plimpton's book in which he really tries to capture Truman Capote, the man and the genius. Because of this, director Douglas McGrath ("Nicholas Nickleby" and "Emma") utilizes some faux-interview segments, much like a "Biography" segment on television. Of course, both films center around the process of Capote researching and writing his masterpiece "In Cold Blood" based on the brutal slaying of a Kansas family in their farmhouse. They both also explore Capote's bizarre relationship with Perry Smith (played brilliantly here by the next James Bond, Daniel Craig). The sexual tension between the two is palpable, but we continue to question if Capote is merely manipulating Smith for the story or if, in fact, there is real substance to the attraction. We will never know if his reaction on death row is heartbreak or guilt. The mystery adds to the power of the story.

The cast in this film is nothing short of spectacular. From the opening moments with Gwyneth Paltrow portraying the great Peggy Lee in a melancholy stage moment to Sigourney Weaver, Hope Davis, Isabella Rossellini and Juliet Stevenson doing the twist, the actresses are terrific - as are their amazing costumes! In addition to Daniel Craig as Perry Smith, Lee Pace (as Dick Hickcock), Jeff Daniels as the sheriff and ("Last Picture Show" director) Peter Bogdanovich as Bennett Cerf, the actors are also top notch.

Toby Jones as Truman Capote is much more flamboyant and colorful than the amazing performance by Phillip Seymour Hoffman last year. Many will try to compare, but what I say is, enjoy them both for their high level of artistry! Now for something I never thought I would put in writing. Sandra Bullock is extremely effective as Nelle Harper Lee (Capote's muse and of course, the author of "To Kill a Mockingbird"). Bullock usually flips her hair and bumbles all cutesy-like through her performances, but not here. She plays Ms. Lee straightforward and tough, just like the real thing. How wonderful.

Yes, the story is still heart-wrenching, but "Infamous" provides much more levity, humor and color than the more somber "Capote". Both are wonderful films with excellent casts. Enjoy them both as fine film-making seems to be a rare commodity these days.