This isn’t actually about writing, but I couldn’t do blog about Capote without re-watching the critically acclaimed movie based upon his most famous work. But since this film isn’t actually about being a writer or the process of writing, I’ll keep this short.
Capote called In Cold Blood the first nonfiction novel, which I think was just his way of admitting that he embellished the truth. Technically, that’s just historic fiction, however Capote is dead and difficult to argue with at this time.
If you don’t already know, In Cold Blood was the case of two young men, Dick Hickok and Perry Smith, brutally killing a family of four during a botched robbery attempt. The Clutters are presented as an average farm family with chores, hopes, friends, and a community who had no issues with them. Capote actually interviewed Smith extensively for his book (see blogs about the movies Capote and Infamous). This film pulls no punches as Agent Alvin Dewey (John Forsythe) and a team of cops hunt for the killers who reveal more of their backstories in an attempt to understand why they committed the crimes. Still, Perry even confesses that none of it makes sense. He never knew exactly why he murdered the Clutters.
