Review of Infamous (2006) by Orlando M — 20 Jul 2011

This film had the unfortunate luck to come out in the same year as Capote, which is a truly great film, and as such comes across worse than it probably is. Daniel Craig and Lee Pace are both poorly cast in their respective roles as the murderers of the Clutter family, and probably would have been more convincing if they switched roles.

There are two main problems with this film. Iit engages in too much exposition. A romantic relationship between Perry and Truman was always just speculation, although I will give the filmmakers credit for fully committing here. The talking heads are annoying and unnecessary although here Sandra Bullock shines in her final piece, bringing an unwavering intensity to the screen.

Infamous also comes across as entierly frivolous. The first hour or so before the film really gets into the book In Cold Blood, is too much of Capote engaging in his lavish and over the top lifestyle, painting him an over the top, social butterfly and horrible gossip with absolutely no compassion. Maybe this is close to reality, but it makes the film uneven and carries through the whole film. Unlike Philip Seymour Hoffman's Capote, Toby Jones's is quite unlikable with little depth until he becomes involved with Perry. Jones's performance boarders on a caricature, where Hoffman's was a real person.

The film does pick up in the second half however and both executions, that of the Clutters and the murderers are well handled and well shot.