This movie is probably the most interesting picture I've seen this year.

When I first saw Phillip Seymour Hoffman (Along Came Polly) was cast in a film about famed writer Truman Capote, all I could think of was whether or not the filmmaker's would show Capote performing in the murder-mystery farce "Murder By Death" as Lionel Twain.

However, when I realized what the actual movie was about, I couldn't look away. It gripped me, and I actually got mad at myself for leaving the cinema to hit the head. I was upset I missed even one scene. That's how interesting I found this picture.

"Capote" is about the writer's association and friendship with murderer Perry Smith, who was convicted and hung on four counts of Murder One. Capote originally went to the small Kansas town to do a story for the New Yorker Magazine, but after meeting Perry and his cohort, he knew a book was going to come out of it. Eventually, the experience served as Capote's work "In Cold Blood."

Even though, having seen most of the original black and white classic "In Cold Blood," based on Capote's work, I knew the ending of the movie, so its attempt to question why or even IF Smith and partner committed the murders fell short on me; however, Capote didn't know until Smith told him in act three and I found myself more interested in what Truman's response would be.

Hoffman is awesome in this role. At first, he appears to be doing a bit contrived but fun impersonation of Capote, but eventually, my critical limit was let down, and the Hoffman I first saw melted away into one of the actor's greatest roles ever. He was jaw dropping impressive and I hope the picture gets its due come Oscar ballots.

The picture does move a little show, but as our friend Tony Hughes said, the movie may be trying to pace itself like a Truman Capote read.

The surprise performance of the picture for me was Clifton Collins Jr. (Mindhunters) as Smith. There were moments were Smith looked totally innocent of this horrible quadruple homicide, and towards act three, he looked simply terrifying to where you were nervous for Capote to even be around him. Clifton Jr.'s best scene, showing an exemplary amount of control was when he finally told Capote about the night of the murders.

I also enjoyed director Bennett Miller's choice of representing the writer as a charismatic egoist twerp, and Hoffman did a great job of complying.

Overall, if you like movies about writers, this one is kick-a**, but in a gentle way. The cast is awesome and the story is truly compelling. This will definitely make my DVD collection.

Benn - Where's the Humanity?