07-04-28 Infamous (2006)

Seen: April 22nd, 2007
Format: DVD
Rating: 8

It's a real shame that Infamous and Capote came out so near each other. It really hard to comment on one without at least a mention of the other. If you see them both, you've got to see one first (unless you multitask far better than me), and you can't watch the other objectively.

I saw Capote first.

Both film rely heavily on their performances. Both are filled with excellent ones. But in this light, I prefer Infamous to Capote. It's hard to explain, but Toby Jones plays Capote in a more understated fashion. I never felt that he was playing Capote, I just believed the character. This is no small challenge as Capote himself was so flamboyant. Jones manages to place the focus not on the flamboyance itself, but on Capote the person. Why is he flamboyant? Why does he say and do the things he does?

Through this, we can connect with Capote. We may not like or respect him, but we generate at least some compassion. This becomes especially crucial at the end of the film. By letting us connect with Capote earlier, the changes he goes through are that much more more powerful. We actually believe that he's impacted by the final events, because we seen him brush off other things, not just in action but in manner.

Jones's performance finally made me understand how anyone could like Capote, if not revere him in some small way.

The other performances are generally excellent as well. Bullock did an admirable job. No small praise as I'm a Keener fan and loved her in that role as well. Bullock's accent wavers, but the characterization is rock solid and appropriate. I also found Craig's performance well done, though I felt that the role itself got shorted a little bit by the writing. Bogdonavich also stood out here, though I couldn't tell you why.

The overall look of the film is understated. It it positively stark and bleak at times. Even when the environs are supposed to be opulent, it remains a bit muted, drawing focus to the characters. This serves the film very well. While the era is depicted exceptionally, there's nothing to distract us from the story at hand.

Understatement is my key takeaway here. Infamous gets it right by not being over-the-top. There's no need to dramatize these events are they are so very compelling themselves.

P.S. It occurs to me that In Cold Blood actually was revolutionary in that it was one of the first dramatizations of real events. Capote's reporting wasn't objective, though he did try to present the scenario honestly. This of course has spawned hundreds of "based on a true story" movies and is probably the ultimate genesis of reality TV. For what it's worth.

The Good: Understatement sells

The Bad: Dawn of the exploitation era

The Ugly: It's not over 'til it's over