If the best films are character driven, I can’t think of a better example than Capote. The screenplay, adapted from a book by Dan Futterman, didn’t win the Oscar, but it should have. It was a masterpiece of writing and character development.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, who played Capote, won the 2005 Oscar for Best Actor. He was so outstanding and mesmerizing that it was hard to believe he was acting. We never for a moment doubt that he’s the famous writer, Truman Capote.
The story develops the character of Truman Capote (Hoffman) as he does research for his book, “In Cold Blood,” a true account of the brutal murder of a Kansas family. As Capote establishes a close relationship with the imprisoned killers, two parallel dramas unfold—the story of the killers as they are brought to justice and the story of the complex character of Capote.
Capote’s character is so skillfully delineated that we understand why he lies and manipulates one of the killers emotionally so that he can expose the truth. He helps the killers in their legal defense so that he can ultimately witness their final demise and write the last chapter of his book, “In Cold Blood.”
I like to study this film because I always discover something new about great character development.
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