Philip got it down cold.

I remember Truman Capote from his appearances on "The Tonight Show" back in the 70's.  He was an exotic character, meaning he was unlike anyone I knew back then.  He was effortlessly funny, savagely witty and cleverly sarcastic.  Sadly, that is what he was known for at the time of his frequent talk show appearances.  He had been a promising writer, first achieving notoriety as the author of "Breakfast at Tiffany's."  He truly broke with the publication of "In Cold Blood," a true crime novel about the murder of all four members of the Clutter family in Eisenhower-era Kansas.  This book won many awards and established
Capote's place among the great writers and their works.

In his portrayal of the man in "Capote" (2005), Philip Seymour Hoffman is brilliant.  I like Hoffman in all roles
(e.g. "The Big Lebowski," and the emotionally wrenching, little known, must-see "Love Liza").  "Capote" is a great film with a dual focus on the author and his relationships, as well as his research and immersion into the irredeemably brutal quadruple murders.