Infamous is about Truman Capote, author of novels such as Breakfast At Tiffany’s. The film focuses on arguably the most important time in his life, during his research for the book In Cold Blood, a ‘non fiction novel’ about the brutal murder of a family in Holcomb, Kansas.
Aided by his cousin Harper Lee (Sandra Bullock), Capote begins his research into what happened on the night of the murders. He not only meets the inhabitants of the small close knit town where the murders took place, but the murderers as well – one of whom Capote finds particularly intriguing.
This life changing time in Truman Capote’s life is beautifully captured in a film which boasts a cast of not only Toby Jones but also features Sandra Bullock, Daniel Craig, Peter Bogdanovich and Jeff Daniels, as well as a musical performance from Gwyneth Paltrow.
Infamous is utterly utterly brilliant. For the whole of it I sat, captivated, as the story unfolded on screen. A lot of the back story and character description of Capote is filled in talking-head style by his friends, family and lover, allowing the events within the film to be talked about frankly, making them even more heartbreaking.
Toby Jones gives such a good performance. Not only are the voice and mannerisms of Capote perfect but his skill of conveying such strong emotion and pain is a talent others can only dream of.
It’s a beautiful piece of cinema and it almost hurts me physically how overlooked it was when it was released in 2006.
Go seek this film out.
Sian Brett 