joshkmapes

Phillip Seymour Hoffman, who gives the best performance so far this millennium as "capote." I'm usually not into the whole "awards" thing, as well as actors playing well-known figures as an imitation, or "transforming" into a new role, but what's remarkable about his performance, is that he's faced with such a specific and exaggerated character he needs to play (and he nails the stuttering lisp and squeaky voice), but it takes a back seat to how well he understands the role "capote" needs to play in this movie. The movie centers on capote as narcissistic and completely involved in himself, his own world, and his own work . . . and that's exactly how he comes across. But he's neither hero nor villain-- we see him for what he is, we neither like him or hate him . . . but we're fascinated with him and his research for "in cold blood" . . . and what's vital to the movie-- is that we're willing to follow him the entire time.Believe it or not, Hoffman, while faced with an extreme and flamboyant character, adds a subtle note under the imitation in every scene that leads it to become what the director wants. At the end, he has a breakdown and cries as the criminals face the death penalty. Hoffman makes it clear that-- he's crying because ANYBODY would cry while facing something like that-- but then we really have NO idea why he's affected beyond that . . . what is he thinking? it could be anything. This scene reminded me so much of the ambiguity of halle berry in the final scene of monster's ball.

I can't stand catherine keener, i think she's terrible in most things, but . . .she blew me away. What a great cast. And dan futterman's script is the best screenplay in ages.

This isn't the life story of truman capote, but instead an exploration of a great mind meeting a criminal mind. IT's a suspense story even though we know the end results. This is a credit to the writer, the crew, the astounding cast, and specifically . . . phillip seymour Hoffman.

I'm not a fan of Von Tier, but the way in which this film conducts itself is truly interesting. When i saw this film, many people left during the first hour due to boredom. I'm usually not drawn into movies that try really hard to set themselves apart and behave strangely. but the characters and the set up of this film make it unique and watchable.

Mr. Von Tier has never been to America, which i think makes me able to appreciate this film more for what it's trying to do. It testament to the abstractness of our ideas about things about which we haven't the slightest clue. He's never been to America, so he doesn't have a clue. but yet, he has the right idea on some things, others he's way off. And he's just a little bitter and close minded like the townspeople of dogville. And maybe that's ok. The film and it's set-up are stunning, and each scene is directed with a purpose. He draws upon many techniques of theatre and Brechtian principles of drama. The end credits did leave a bad taste in my mouth, though.

The actors really come into their own. IN each scene, i got a sense of their fear of screwing up or frustrations about conflicting with a difficult director. I find nicole kidman too frail, raspy voiced, and whispery. She's like this all of the time, and acting isn't really pretending to be week. but in this film, in the last hour, she's incredible. I'm a negative person and usually don't like movies and rip everything to shreds . . . but this is her best performance. By far. All the other actors are perfectly cast, and you can tell they fully embrace the set and the style of the film.

The set really is Beautiful, and it reinforoces the story. Stunning all around, and worth seeing. Even though its message is highly debatable, it's form is something new and fresh, while building upon the old and refusing to be another gimmicky art movie. See this movie. It actually dared to try something new.

The book "the hours" is positively brilliant. It's written in the same way as Mrs. Dalloway and expands on the same themes. It's beautiful. I was nervous about the movie, because i was afraid it was going to use voice over to tell us what the characters were thinking and feeling. I was wrong. Voice over would have been better.

This is by far the most poorly written movie of the year. The characters are only seen as their ailments. We have no idea who they are. There's NOTHING there. Therefore, we see them as Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep.

Julianne Moore can't make a cake and her son has to help her. Then she kisses the neighbor woman. Then she drops her son off at a friends house. Then she checks into a hotel to kill herself. then she doesn't. then she's crying in a bathroom. Then she's back in bed.

That's literally all the audience gets of her character. No motivation. ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. And the same goes for the other two. There's just nothing here. It never takes off and we never know who they are. It hides behind it's brilliance, but i think people are just afraid to dislike it. (I will say, the musical score is amazing)

I attend film school, and this semester, every one of my teachers has used this film in a discussion of "how not to approach a film" and "what's wrong in a screenplay."

Nicole Kidman is borderline horrible in this movie. She's wearing a prosthetic nose to play Virginia Woolf. Yet the way her arms move-- nicole kidman. The way she behaves-- nicole kidman. THe nose is the only thing that's not her, and she hides behind it. Did ben kingsley need a nose to play ghandi? joseph fiennes prosthetics to play shakespeare? no . . . they tried ACTING. And Nicole Kidman's strange attempt at an english accent is awkward and silly, especially since she shares scenes with miranda richardson and stephen dillane.

This movie does nothing with story or narrative, it does nothing but provide cheap moments that try to show power in acting and dialogue. But really, these moments and characters aren't grounded in anything. In other words, there is no reason for it. We don't have michael cunningham's text and skilled words to guide us through it. Julianne moore has so much skill and talent it gives me chills, and she excercises them here. And meryl streep is the most incredible living actress. But they don't have ANYTHING. except they know it's a high profile project and it's easy for people to just take the BADNESS and insanity of it as being "different" or "brilliant."

This movie isn't anything but trying to win oscars, and giving those involved the opportunity to say "look at us, aren't we good?????" in every moment of screen time. the answer is, no, you're not. it's just plain bad. And virginia woolf wasn't just a suicidal bisexual bitch. No one is. No one is only a stereotype, and no one is ONLY miserable. I think the writers, actors, and director should have read Mrs. Dalloway. Or any virginia woolf for that matter. They would have known these elements are delicate and don't embody a whole character. I think Michael Cunningham was the only one who bothered to read the book that inspired the whole thing.