10 Awesome Philip Seymour Hoffman Performances

4. Truman Capote in Capote

Capote was arguably the film that cemented Hoffman's status and recognition as a truly great actor, and while it's a shame that it took so long for this realisation to materialise, it is of little surprise that this was the film that did so. Hoffman's portrayal of Truman Capote remains his most critically lauded performance to date, earning him a well deserved Oscar at the 2005 Academy Awards. The film charts the real life story of novelist Truman Capote's investigation into the murder of a Kansas family and the close relationship he formed with one of the perpetrators, Perry Smith, in the preparation that lead to the writing of his novel In Cold Blood, considered by many, this writer included, to be one of the greatest pieces of 20th century American literature. While all of Hoffman's other roles on this list are fictional characters and as such open to his own interpretation, Capote was a real man. As such this film required a very different approach to character engagement than his previous roles. As you might expect, he's absolutely phenomenal in it. Hoffman is completely convincing in his portrayal of Capote's mannerisms and voice as well as lending a mysterious, disconnected depth to the character, transcending the potentially dangerous territory of simply doing a decent impression of Truman Capote. Perfecting the camp, indulgent and snobby aspects of Capote's public personality, Hoffman also manages to give the audience insight into Capote's private, perhaps truer self through a series of introspective and melancholic moments hauntingly dotted through the narrative.
 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

I'm a freelance film critic in my early twenties. I'm passionate about films, particularly cult cinema, horror and science fiction films. I graduated from Exeter University with an MA in Film Studies and have been writing film reviews/articles since early 2012. Find me on twitter @tobyneilsonfilm