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Capote II?

by Peter Schilling   ::   posted on Jul. 29, 2006 - 12:54pm

Hot off the wire! David Thomson, one of my favorite film critics, writes in the British broadsheet The Independent of a new film on the life of Truman Capote, called Infamous. This one is based on George Plimpton's Truman Capote: In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career. Unlike Capote, Infamous details Truman's triumphs and tragedies in writing the masterpiece, In Cold Blood.

No, wait, that is exactly what the last film was about.

So this is pretty freakin' bizarre. Thomson claims that Infamous is far superior to Capote, a film the irascible bastard actually admires. He writes that "if you thought it was too soon for another Capote, think again!" Well, I didn't think it was too soon, I simply didn't think anyone would make this story ever again... it's not as if people are clamoring to remake these silly biopics.

Infamous boasts a supreme cast, which includes Daniel Craig (the new Bond), Jeff Daniels, Peter Bogdonovich, Hope Davis, Sandra Bullock (yes, that's not a supreme actress, but a popular one), Gwyneth Paltrow, Isabella Rosellini and Sigourney Weaver, with relative newcomer Toby Jones playnig our favorite screechy writer (I'm only partially tongue-in-cheek as I truly adore his work). Thomson claims that Jones is Capote, whereas Phil S. Hoffman was merely a mimic. Though I liked Capote, I didn't think P. S. Hoffman was deserving of an Oscar, or the unanimous praise. Then again, I get sick of all this mimickry.

In any case, this could make for an interesting film, a rousing success, or a case of bad timing, much like Valmont following on the heels of Dangerous Liaisons a good decade back. Right now, I don't have any clue when this will hit the states, if it will hit our shores on the big screen, or die a quiet death and head straight to DVD. I'll keep you posted.