*Sun Feb 22* *Bombay Dost Sunday High movies* The next Sunday High features two films on gay author Truman Capote's investigation of the murder of a Kansas family, quite dissimilar in tone and tenor, despite being based on essentially the same sequence of events.
*Capote (2005)* 114min, English Directed by Bennett Miller Starring: Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, Clifton Collins Jr., Chris Cooper, Bruce Greenwood and Mark Pellegrino *Capote* is a biographical film about Truman Capote on a writing assignment for *The New Yorker*. Philip Seymour Hoffman won several awards, including the Academy Award for Best Actor, for his critically acclaimed portrayal of the title role. The movie itself was based on the 1988 biography called *Capote* by Gerald Clarke. In 1959, Capote, learns about the horrific and senseless murder of a family of four in Holcomb, Kansas. Inspired by the story material, Capote and his partner, Harper Lee, travel to the town to research for an article. However, as Capote digs deeper into the story, he is inspired to expand the project into what would be his greatest work, *In Cold Blood*. To that end, he arranges extensive interviews with the prisoners, especially with Perry Smith, a quiet and articulate man with a troubled history. As he works on his book, Capote feels some compassion for Perry which in part prompts him to help the prisoners to some degree. However, that feeling deeply conflicts with his need for closure for his book which only an execution can provide. That conflict and the mixed motives for both interviewer and subject make for a troubling experience that would produce an literary account that would redefine modern non-fiction. (IMDB) *Infamous (2006)* 110min, English Directed by Douglas McGrath. Starring: Toby Jones, Sandra Bullock, Daniel Craig, Jeff Daniels *Infamous* is based on the 1997 book *Capote: In Which Various Friends, Enemies, Acquaintances and Detractors Recall His Turbulent Career* by George Plimpton, covers the period from the late 1950s through the mid-1960s during which Truman Capote researched and wrote his bestseller *In Cold Blood*. *Infamous* is far kinder to Capote than the earlier film, portraying him as quite clearly enamored of the killer Perry Smith (an ardor fully requited by Smith) and deeply anguished when Smith is executed. *Capote* depicts the author as more conniving, manipulative and disingenuous, willing to say or do anything to get Smith to spill his story, and withholding of possible interventions he - Capote - might have made to further delay or avert the executions of Smith and his accomplice. In *Capote* the author's erotic attraction to Smith is more muted, hinted at, not acted upon. Indeed, *Infamous* is in general more explicit and direct in its portrayals, often more graphic if you will, than *Capote.* There are other differences, for example, Capote's bid to establish rapport with the local Sheriff, Alvin Dewey, is depicted as much more problematic in *Infamous* than in *Capote*. A plus for *Infamous* is its attention to Capote's relationships with a covey of New York society women known as his "swans" (delightfully played by Sigourney Weaver, Juliet Stevenson, Hope Davis and Isabella Rossellini), their adulation of him, his ability to coax them into sharing their secrets for his later use as gossip fodder. Daniel Craig gives a forceful performance as the killer, Perry Smith. So we have two versions of the story of Capote's adventures in Kansas: both strong films, well cast, worthwhile. (IMDB) Log on to http://bombay-dost.pbwiki.com to track event info. *IV Floor, Municipal Transit (Municipal Market) Building, Nehru Road, Near Raheja Point, Vakola, Santa Cruz (E)* Nearest station Santa Cruz (WR & CR Harbour) Nearest bus stop Vakola pipeline. Screening time: 4.30pm-8.30pm with one ~15-minute break
