Infamous (2006) no doubt was overshadowed by Capote, which beat it to the box office by a year and garnered much critical acclaim. I have to admit, I had never even seen Infamous until I caught it this past week on Netflix. But this is a classic case of better late than never, because I was absolutely blown away. In many ways, Infamous is the superior of the two biopics dealing with Truman Capote's writing of the haunting "nonfiction novel" In Cold Blood.
While it tells much the same story as Capote, Infamous places more emphasis on the eccentric author's interaction with New York socialites. The film receives some skillful direction from Douglas McGrath, who cuts deftly between scenes--and between the storyline itself and faux-documentary interviews of Capote's associates. Infamous also exhibits some brilliant wit, yet takes a much darker turn midway through (in keeping with the debilitating effect that writing/publishing In Cold Blood had on Capote).
Not merely because of his diminutive stature, Toby Jones makes for a more convincing Truman Capote than the justly-decorated Philip Seymour Hoffman. Daniel Craig gives a stunning performance as Perry Smith, the savage killer with an artistic soul. But perhaps the biggest surprise is Sandra Bullock as Capote companion and fellow scribe Harper Lee; this supporting role shows that Bullock was an Oscar-caliber actress even before she took a walk on The Blind Side.
Does Infamous take some liberties with the "true story"? Probably, but the result is a powerful, emotional drama. If this movie has slipped under your radar (as it did mine for so long), you need to rectify that fact by placing it at the top of your Netflix queue right now. You won't be disappointed.
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