A brilliant portrait of an author at his height

This short film by the brilliant documentarians Albert and David Maysles captures Truman Capote at the very height of his career and influence during the aftermath of the publication of IN COLD BLOOD. We see Capote taking Alvin Dewey and his wife around New York City for the first time, Capote in his Long Island home chatting with a Newsweek reporter, as well as various book signings and functions centered on the book.

There is no doubt that Phillip Seymour Hoffman used this film extensively to arrive at his Capote performance. This short (30 mins.) film would make an excellent extra in a future deluxe DVD release of CAPOTE.

We get hints of his eventual downfall- he is clearly drunk in some scenes. The most poignant moment comes as he shows the Newsweek reporter letters from Perry Smith. He reads one out loud, and clutches the letter to his chest as if he is about to cry.

This film is available to viewing at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York and Beverly Hills.

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

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The short form refers to creative works characterized by their brevity and concise storytelling. Unlike full-length feature films, short films have a running time of less than 45 minutes, while TV shorts have a running time of less than 22 minutes.

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An intimate meeting with renowned author Truman Capote. As a reporter interviews him in his beachfront home, Capote shares his "self-regarding" personality through hip philosophy and calculated jokes. He offers insights in an endearingly raspy voice about his latest book, In Cold Blood, which Capote declares to be part of a new genre, the "non-fiction novel." Just as the Maysles brothers' direct cinema classics turn real stories into narratives, Capote's non-fiction novel makes an effort to turn reality into art. In Cold Blood is based on first-hand accounts of an actual murder. The author affectionately discusses his coverage of the subsequent trial and his intriguing relationship with the two young killers. Capote claims it is the spontaneity of life that compels him to portray reality, but it is his own fresh energy and startling sense of humor that keep us intrigued.

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