Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsWas hoping for better
Reviewed in the United States on June 13, 2013
I have been fascinated by Truman Capote's life ever since I found out that the character of Dill in Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' was based on him as a child. I watched In Cold Blood the night before I watched this movie because I'd never seen it and because I wanted the "back story". Well, I must say I enjoyed the first much more than this one. I think Toby Jones did a wonderful impersonation of Truman Capote but it's little more than that. For all his rubbing his face and whining about how much the research for his book took out of him, I wasn't convinced. I think TC's was a truly tragic story of a truly tragic little man but this movie shed no further light on him or his life than that which I had already known. Sandra Bullock also does a very fine impersonation of Harper Lee but again, it's little more than that. I guess you'd have to blame the writing or direction, (I don't claim to be a film critic), because Ms Bullock can certainly make you feel like you know the character she's playing in most of her better movies. It's a shame too because Harper Lee is a somewhat tragic figure, as well. In conclusion let me recommend that you read about the lives of Truman Capote AND Harper Lee if you want to know something about their fascinating lives and careers, (Harper Lee is still alive and living almost as a recluse in Monroeville, Al), because you won't learn much from this movie.