Tom Hollander Struggled to Say Goodbye to Truman Capote After ‘Feud’: ‘He Became My Friend”

As a film enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the lives of various artists and their struggles, I find myself deeply moved by Tom Hollander‘s portrayal of Truman Capote in “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans.” The dedication and commitment he poured into this role is nothing short of inspiring.

One day in the 1950s, Norman Mailer shared a drink at an Irish pub in Brooklyn with Truman Capote, as related by one of his numerous biographers. At that time, the borough was predominantly a working-class neighborhood rather than the affluent area it is known for today. The establishment attracted a down-to-earth clientele.

Capote didn’t try to hide his feminine traits or modify his distinctive, high-pitched Southern drawl. On the contrary, he openly and shamelessly embraced his homosexuality at a time when such openness could lead to legal trouble or physical harm. As the crowd stared him down, Mailer was struck by the courage it took for Capote to live as he did.

Tom Hollander, who delved deeply into the psychological remnants of the author’s life portrayed in the FX series “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans,” reveals that the narrative provided him with a pathway to uncover Truman Capote’s tough inner self.

“Isn’t he incredibly brave?” exclaims Hollander over the phone, his voice rising against the faint ringing of a far-off bell. “He was as fearless as a warrior, and I can only imagine how challenging and isolating it must have been for him to be so open about himself.”

As I embarked on embodying the enigmatic Capote, I dedicated two months to honing my physicality under the guidance of movement coach, Polly Bennett. We traversed the halls of London churches, a space that served as both classroom and stage. The quest was to locate his unique center of gravity and become at ease with it, ensuring my performance wasn’t marred by excessive thought.

To perfectly mimic Truman Capote’s distinctive creaky, slightly nasal speaking voice, the actor worked closely with vocal coach Jerome Butler. During filming, the actor meticulously studied interviews with Capote to master the correct intonations. As Hollander explains, “It’s like learning a dance move – you need to practice it repeatedly until it feels natural. You analyze each detail and it becomes quite technical. But eventually, the technique becomes second nature because it’s inside you, allowing you to convey emotions through it. You can’t achieve that if all your focus is on getting the accent perfect.”

In the play “Capote vs. the Swans,” Hollander is tasked with portraying a wide range of emotions. The production delves into both the triumphs and tribulations of the author, showcasing his career milestones such as the release of “In Cold Blood” and his iconic Black and White Ball, alongside his struggles like his slide into alcoholism after the publication of parts from “Answered Prayers.” This unfinished novel, which exposed the indiscretions and secrets of high society, was seen as a grave transgression. The fallout from this, including the loss of friendships with figures like Babe Paley (portrayed by Naomi Watts) and Slim Keith (Diane Lane), fueled Capote’s drinking problem, ultimately leading him to never publish another novel.

“In a way, the performance that he gave of being the great raconteur, who was so witty and clever and charming, became exhausting,” Hollander says. “And he started to lose the discipline required to really write, where it’s just you at your desk with your typewriter. It can be a lonely life.”

The drama titled “Feud” received ten Emmy nominations, with Hollander garnering some of the most favorable reviews in his career. However, he empathizes with the anxiety that Capote likely experienced as his influence waned, and his fear of failure became increasingly overwhelming.

In the words of Hollander, as performers, you grasp the delicate nature of our work. Continuing onward is essential because we crave validation, and we strive to continually captivate audiences. However, we are also aware of the challenges involved in consistently meeting such high expectations.

However, performing as this renowned literary figure throughout the lengthy run of the series was among the “two or three finest” experiences of Hollander’s career. After filming ended, he found it challenging to detach himself from Capote.

Hollander states, “He became my friend,” he shares. For six months, they walked this road together every day, then had to bid farewell. It’s not boastful to say, but when acting, one essentially brings these characters back to life, and it’s a tremendous privilege to transform into someone wiser than oneself.

2024-08-14 18:48

Tom Hollander Struggled to Say Goodbye to Truman Capote After ‘Feud’: ‘He Became My Friend”

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