Truman Capote - a phenomenal writer, a celebrity among celebrities, with a capacious personality. The film Capote is a tribute to his character and zeal as a writer, during the time he was researching and interviewing for his novel ‘In Cold Blood', which is based on a true story of the murders of family in Kansas in 1959, by two sociopathic deviants, Perry Smith and Dick Hickock. It encompasses Capote's interviews with the murderers and those involved in the investigation, with revelatory insights into Capote's character and personal life.

Bennett Miller (Director) and Dan Futterman (screenwriter) have brought us an intimate account of what could be deemed a momentous pigeon hole of Capote's life. Instead of trawling through the nuts and bolts of Capote's life as a whole, they have chosen, wisely or unwisely, to focus on the period 1959 to 1965 during which time Capote (Hoffman) researches and interviews the murderers, Perry Smith (Collins Jr) and Dick Hickock (Cooper) of the Clutter family in Garden City, Kansas. This is the story which enabled Capote to write his very successful novel ‘In Cold Blood', though it is also seen as the story which ‘broke' him as writer.

Use of this period alone exposes enough of Capote's character, insecurities, drive and ability to exploit to fulfil the aim of the film. His relationship with Smith, both emotionally and intellectually, includes an exposé of his own background which rhymes somewhat with Smith's, intensifying the relationship. The grandiosity of Capote's lifestyle is proven along with his somewhat narcissistic personality, need for appraisal and also the uninhibited writer's capacity to overlook the heinous crimes committed, to reach the truth behind the personalities involved, whilst in pursuit of his own recognition and praise.

The visual impact of the Clutter murders, shown later in the film, is both grossly affective yet balanced through Capote's growing relationship with Smith, which delicately reveals the humanity within a person who has the capability of committing an inhumane act. This is extracted and exploited by Capote. Whilst it is, in a sense, forgiving, the final sentence is real, provocative and reveals Capote's inability to use boundaries with his emotional involvement during the research as the Smith and Hickock meet their justified end.

Capote's relationships with friends including successful author Harper Lee, and his lover, Jack, show an extreme almost reckless drive to be at the centre of attention, with his celebrity lifestyle, overtly camp traits, and the requirement to have his own needs met – again this is insinuated to in a style used throughout the film of revealing just enough to allow the audience to assume – there is ambiguity at every turn (did Capote really fall in love with Smith; did Capote have that interlude with the guy lingering outside the club?), this does not weaken the film, it captures the viewers imagination vigorously.

Futterman and Miller in coalition have chosen the route of ambiguity intentionally, which may leave gaps for some viewers but still relays the message both clearly and succinctly. Even with the knowledge from reading Capote's highly successful ‘non-fiction novel' In Cold Blood, it gives greater depth to the film, but far from takes away the journey for Capote in this episode of his life. The book does, however, reveal more on Smith and Hickock's characters, dysfunctional upbringing, poor relationships and past crimes which adds flavour to the whole chilling account of how we perceive these two deviants. It is an engaging film because of its topic, a hint of macabre, Capote's exposed homosexuality even in the 60s and his desire to be successful whatever the cost to others and himself.

Hoffman has clearly researched the real Capote down to the miniscule detail; the nasal camp voice, fey mannerisms and distinctive elusiveness. He has captured the role beautifully, articulately and in a way that will be hard to follow with future planned films on Capote's life. Already a Golden Globe and BAFTA award winner for Best Actor, the film has also garnered nominations in 5 Oscar categories, including Best Actor, Best Picture, Best Director for Miller and Best Adapted Screenplay for Futterman. A definitive personal best for Bennett Miller as his first feature film.