Berlin International Film Festival 2006

Dir: Bennet Miller

Having committed himself to write a documentary novel, the US legal process drags on for years before the men are executed and he can complete the book. Capote's initial enthusiasm for the project is that of a curious outsider, but he is brought much closer to the murderer by intervening in events to arrange better legal representation in their appeals against the death sentence.

This creates an interesting set of contrasts between the four leading characters. Harper Lee and William Shawn represent the cool creativity of rational thought, friendship and professionalism, while Capote and Perry Smith share an egoistic obsessive urge. Smith is described as a gentle and sensitive man, who is also capable of 'killing you, as soon as look at you'. Smith's journals and drawings are presented here as evidence of real creativity. He is also identified as an irrational killer.

What isn't questioned in this film is the whole issue of the death penalty and the extent to which Truman Capote's book helped kindle a Hollywood genre of 'execution' movies and the degree (first, second, or third) to which Miller's 'Capote' adds to it. Very few countries practice the 'death penalty' and the political influence of Hollywood for its abolition seems to be almost nil. What seems to be evolving is a series of variations on the execution theme from a different perspective, the abolitionist nun in 'Dead Man Walking', the Intrusive Journalist in 'Capote'. Jon Jost has already covered the victim's experience in 'Frameup'. Perhaps Arnold Schwarzneggar will give us the Governor's perspective (working title: I beg your pardon), when his stint in California comes to an end?

'Capote' was far and away the best film shown at the Berlin Festival, where it was shown out of competition.