weak characterization of Harper Lee and Perry Smith
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Capote
molypocho — 9 years ago(July 29, 2016 02:34 PM)
I was most impressed by Bennett Miller's nuanced examination of Capote's internal conflict: On one hand Capote knows the book will win him fame and critical acclaim beyond anything he's yet experienced, and on the other hand it's his friendship and identification with Perry that make the book so powerful. It becomes a Catch-22: Writing the book is in many ways a betrayal of their friendship, but without the friendship the book wouldn't be the masterpiece it is today. It's destruction and creation side by side. It's the writer bleeding across the page.
But the portrayals of lesser characters, especially Perry Smith and Harper Lee, left something to be desired. I enjoyed seeing the mythical 'Truman Capote-Harper Lee friendship' onscreen, but Harper Lee's presence felt kinda like Buddha or something. She was there to help us sees Capote's lovable flaws, but she herself remained a polished statue. Miller gave us a space to express proper veneration, but nothing more. No flaws. No internal conflict. No flesh and blood. It felt most like I was watching a biopic whenever she was onscreen.
There was a similar problem with Perry's character. If Lee's characterization was trapped in the 'hero' stereotype, then Perry's portrayal never unfettered itself from the 'victim' stereotype. The actor playing Perry, Clifton Collins Jr., was apparently asked to let his eyes go droopy to express sad puppy dog rejection in every single scene. Boring.
I can understand Miller wanted to use these two characters as foils in illuminating Capote's inner demons, but why did their characterizations have to suffer as a result?
My rating: 9 -
molypocho — 9 years ago(August 05, 2016 06:30 AM)
I don't think she was weak either. I just think she had weaknesses because everyone I've ever met has had weaknesses. Her characterization is 'hero worship' and it prevents the viewer from experiencing an interesting depiction of Harper Lee, that's all I'm saying.
I've read both her books, and I think they both qualify as timeless literature that should be read by anybody interested in America and its issues with race.
I knew I would be ruffling Harper Lee fans' feathers. My dad is a huge admirer of the woman and he gets overheated on 'the Capote issue'. -
SealedCargo — 6 years ago(April 17, 2019 09:21 AM)
let's face it, Harper Lee was a "fag hag" in the movie.
perry smith was as angelic as he was in IN COLD BLOOD while Dick was a shallow… well… dick…
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SealedCargo — 6 years ago(June 05, 2019 08:50 AM)
well, if Capote turned Perry Smith into anything in In Cold Blood it's a sweet little puppy, and he did the murders.
that's art for ya.
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SealedCargo — 6 years ago(October 04, 2019 03:38 AM)
the only thing i liked about clifton collins' portrayal is that his voice is exactly like actor fred forrest's chef in apoc now… other than that he was pretty dull…
i don't think tho this was any kind of catch 22 for capote… he wanted to write a book and had to squeeze blood from the proverbial turnip to do so, and he did so…
all writers do…
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