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Reviews
Capote (2005)
A wonderfully directed film
The director, Bennett Miller, had only directed one other feature, The Cruise, a documentary released in 1998. His fiction feature debut is a remarkably accomplished feat of directing. Not only are all of the performances top notch, but the cinematography is beautiful and the editing is unhurried and precise. The production and costume design are simple and flawless, always capturing the period setting without overselling details or overemphasizing authenticity. Everyone is talking about the great performance of Philip Seymour Hoffman, but I think that Clifton Collins Jr. should also be recognized for a layered and delicately nuanced performance as Perry Smith. Long portions of this movie actually focus down to intense two character scenes between these terrific actors.
Along with Brokeback Mountain and Conversations with Other Women, this is one of my favorites at Telluride this year. A great film. I hope the director doesn't wait another seven years to make his next movie!
Conversations with Other Women (2005)
I agree with Roger Ebert - one of the best at Telluride 2005
I was lucky enough to see this movie on Monday, September 5, the last day of Telluride 2005. There were five other screenings that had sold out before that. I'd heard the about the film, but wasn't sure I had to see it until I read Roger Ebert's review of the film on his website's festival writeup.
I didn't think that a movie made entirely in split screen could be anything but a gimmick. But after seeing the film, I agree with Ebert--the split screen comes to seem necessary. The split screen is used not only to show the simultaneous actions and reactions of both characters, but also shows flashbacks juxtaposed with the present, alternate versions of the present, and moments imagined or hoped by the characters that quickly return to reality. Sometimes the present is fractured into more than one emotion for a given line or action, showing an actor performing the same moment in different ways. The editing is assured and masterful, employing storytelling techniques that couldn't exist without the split screen. The writing is brilliant, full of humor and insight. The movie is like nothing you've ever seen before.
Aaron Eckhart and Helena Bonham Carter are amazing--funny and heartbreaking at the same time. I really can't wait to see this movie again. If a movie ever rewarded two viewings, it's a movie that plays in two frames.