AN INTIMATE AFFAIR // A FILM REVIEW OF "TRUMAN & TENNESSEE: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION"
Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams are two of the most famous and prolific writers of the 20th Century. Individually, they both created novels and plays that helped define American writing as we know it They also had a lifelong friendship that was as toxic as it was supportive. The new documentary TRUMAN & TENNESSEE: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION takes an unusual approach in telling part of their story. There's no real narrative in any way. No real driving force to keep the story moving. Instead, it's Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams speaking for themselves, their words at least. Their voice surrogates are Jim Parsons in the role of Capote and Zachary Quinto delving into Williams. There is also archival footage, much of it (or at least a large chunk of the most intimate bits) are from appearances both men made on David Frost's talk show. Unlike today's late night fare, these interviews are revealing and raw, shedding a bright light on the "unsaid."
Both men were brilliant and both were eventually undone throughout time by drugs and alcohol. We see the decline throughout the film within the footage and through their own words hear what they actually thought of themselves. Tennessee admits, when asked by Frost, that he's never really thought about it (if he likes himself) then follows it up with, "Do I like myself? No I don't like myself very much." It's a sad thing to hear, but somehow not all that surprising. In fact, the entire film is covered in a layer of sadness, not so concerned about praising the two legends but instead focusing on almost inspecting them. Each voiceover feels like one part of a two person conversation, one that doesn't ask questions from the other (because they're not really listening to each other) but rather continues the conversation by switching it to themselves. One assumes that's too all that dissimilar to what an actual conversation may have been like with them - cold and warm at the same time.
Director Lisa Immordino Vreeland has crafted a very intriguing look into their ife, one that also feels like their own conversations - cold but warm at the same time. It's often fascinating yet very sad to experience, one that you wish could reveal even more. However, the video footage and photographs are nostalgic and quite revealing within themselves. And there's an advantage of seeing footage so raw. We hear how Tennessee was very frustrated with films of his works, noting how heavily censored they were and suggesting that viewers should shut them off and see them in a theatre, just so they know what's actually going on. Capote didn't feel quite the same way, but he does state that Paramount screwed him over by not casting Marilyn Monroe, his first choice, in Breakfast and Tiffany's." We also hear about how published excerpts of his still unfinished novel "Answered Prayers" had a huge backlash and friends of his were very offended by his portrayals of them, notably Tennessee. This isn't a deep dive into their lives, nor is it meant to be. It's more of an outline of them, an intriguing walk through their lives, with the authors own words guiding along the trail.
GRADE: B
DIRECTED BY Lisa Immordino Vreeland FEATURING THE VOICES OF Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto. OPENING JUNE 18TH IN SELECT THEATRES AND DIGITAL CINEMAS VIA KINO MARQUEE. FOR MORE INFO: TRUMAN & TENNESSEE