An acting tour de force

Philip Seymour Hoffman stars as Truman Capote in the Oscar nominated film titled after the main character. Hoffman is an early favorite for the Academy Awards' Best Actor competition after taking home a statue at the Screen Actors Guild awards late last month.\nCapote is the story of a successful author (Breakfast at Tiffany's) who decides to write his next book, titled In Cold Blood, about the murder of a family in a rural Kansas town, Halcomb. During his research in the town, Capote becomes fascinated with the family's two killers, mainly Perry Smith. His fascination with them and their life stories eventually overtakes him as he is forced to revaluate his journalistic ethics and how far he can stretch his own personal morals to get a good story. \nChronicling the degeneration of a man's mind and the loss of his sense of self, Hoffman sensationally depicts Capote as a man who lowers himself to a level that he is never able to return. Following the point in his life where the movie ends, Capote was unable to finish another book. In Cold Blood may have been one of the largest selling books but the effects were irreparable. \nHoffman transforms for this role in a way not seen by fans of his previous work. His presence on screen has always felt restrained and it's this role where his true talents finally come to fruition. \n The supporting cast is also stellar. Unlike other Oscar hopefuls, namely "Crash," each actor gave their character several dimensions and no one character is without sympathy -- even the two ruthless killers. Clifton Collins Jr. plays Smith with such sincerity that, despite his vicious crimes, viewers are helpless to resist feeling affection for him. \n The always interesting Chris Cooper keeps up the status quo by doing a great job as Halcomb sheriff, Alvin Dewey. Dewey reluctantly assists Capote with information, even though his interest in the case is more personal than professional. Filling in the supporting cast nicely is Catherine Keener as Harper Lee. Lee is most famous as the author of To Kill a Mockingbird but was also a close friend to Capote. \nThe film's streamlined story, absent of any extraneous plot, was an endearing aspect. It drives forward, taking the viewer swiftly from point A to point B with no sidetracking or digressive moments. It's refreshing to have a movie waste little time on telling a straight forward story. "Capote" is carried by a rich plot and strong acting, instead of merely relying on controversy and gimmicks, ala "Crash." \nHoffman has often been treated as second rate actor and is overdue for his recent attention. As far as this years' Oscars go, Heath Ledger's performance was certainly above par, but Hoffman's acting was flawless. "Brokeback Mountain" may take home Best Picture, but Hoffman truly deserves a Best Actor victory. Hopefully he and fellow acting underdog, Paul Giamatti will experience success this March and take the home the gold.