Pilot

By perversity, I'm not referring to sex, but to Truman Capote's attitude as portrayed here. His contrariness to acceptable human behavior is obvious, way too obvious; only Trump makes him look like a piker, and as emphasized by the "Miss Europe 1952" character in this pilot episode, it is the powerful who really are perverse, not the writers.

The quality of the screen writing draws you in, plus the various and obvious inclusion of gimmickry (shock effect of menstrual blood; or the jacking off in the public baths scene) to deliver that je ne sais quoi that only crappy cable networks can provide. But as entertainment the hiring of Gus Van Sant, that hack whose "Psycho" remake remains the all-time worst misuse of cinema I've ever witnessed, is quite destructive. He embraces what's worst about this miniseries and wallows in it, rather than asserting himself (as director) and overcoming the vulgarity and obviousness of some scenes.

We're left with very fine performances: Naomi Watts terrific and understated in her acting as Mrs. Paley; the late Treat Williams quite effective as her powerful husband (I couldn't help wondering how Sigourney Weaver could watch this stuff!) and of course Hollander very broadly capturing the awful side of Capote -I would have preferred a better actor like Toby Jones, but guess what -it's not up to me! I'm just a humble viewer, stuck with whatever crap or on rare occasions caviar is being served up.

I only started watching this series because it looked so promising. Rather than review every episode, I am reviewing this one and it represents my view of the entire series, although I skipped the last episode. I actually read the article that got Capote in trouble with his swans. He took their confidences and reported them in his story under different names. But apparently everyone knew who he was talking about back then.

I don't really know what these women did for society except gossip. The entire series is about the abject morality of these wealthy people and their addiction to booze, cigarettes (which led to their deaths) and sex. Babe Paley's husband (played by Treat Williams) was a very rich, powerful cheater. Most of the rich powerful people in this series were along the lines of Trump- can do whatever they want, whenever they want with seemingly no consequences. There are no redeeming qualities at all.

As for the actresses portraying the swans, they could've have found actresses who actually resembled the women they were portraying: Naomi Watts as Babe Paley- Her hair really really bothered me. It in no way looked like Babe Paley's hair. She looks like she is wearing a helmet. They could have switched up each episode instead of having helmet hair; Demi Moore as Ann Woodward- No resemblance to the actual Ann Woodward who had red hair; Calisto Flockhart- No resemblance to Lee Radizwell; Chloe Sevigny as CZ Guest- She wears the same exact hairstyle throughout. CZ Guest didn't do that. It also looks frozen, like a helmet. These women dressed beautifully and met up with each other at lunch in order to smoke, eat very little and gossip about other rich women in the restaurant. They could have spent some time showing what these women actually contributed to society!!!

Tom Hollander looks much more like Truman Capote and sounds rather like him. However, I really couldn't stand listening to him whine all the time. He's British, so good job for learning how to speak like Truman anyway. Truman was a really diabolical character. He had sex with men everywhere, drank all the time and did very little writing.

I am awarding the series 3 stars simply for the quality of actresses they cast and for the gorgeous outfits they wore. View this series at your own peril.

I can't say enough about the great actors playing intriguing society women and how they bring them to life in every movement and word spoken. They are on top of their game and what fun to watch! It gives me hope that Hollywood will see from the success of this show how much more these women have to offer after 50!

Yes the rest of the cast is fantastic- Jessica Lange was fantastic as Truman's mom whose influence on events is evident- even though she's dead. And great shots of NYC and capturing some of the "old" New York City, the Brownstones, the "ladies who lunch", the bath scene. Gus V and team did a great job. I bet this was a lot of fun to make too.

Did someone get shot in here?

The most wickedly delicious and campy scene is in the pilot episode. Only two gay men, Ryan Murphy and Gus Van Sant could exaggerate that bloody scene with Happy Rockefeller, the wildebeest with fat ankles. An elephant couldn't survive that much blood loss.

Naomi Watts and Diane Lane are magnificent. They will make this watchable. The other ladies are adequate.

This miniseries has all the typical Ryan Murphy touches. It has cynical sleaze touched with humor, great lines and a minimum of pointless filler scenes.

Whether you like Murphy or not, you have to admit he creates great projects for actresses. Of lesser note, we see more of Capote's self destructive personality.

I never cared for Truman Capote. He used people even women who he befriended and confided in him with their darkest secrets. The cast is phenomenal in their performances. Tom Hollander should get accolades for his performance. Truman was a predator who used people. Unfortunately the Esquire magazine article exposed secrets, lies and life on the Upper East Side. Treat Williams was great as William Paley. Even though Babe and Truman never consummated their relationship, she shared intimate secrets of her marriage. Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny and Demi Moore give first rate performances.