FEUD: CAPOTE VS THE SWANS

US, 2024, 8 x 60 minutes, Colour.

Tom Hollander, Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny, Calista Flockhart, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald, Treat Williams, Joe Mantello, Russell Tovey, Jessica Lange, Chris Chalk.

Directed by Gus van Sant, Jennifer Lynch, Max Winkler.

As the second in the television series of Feud, created by Ryan Murphy (also creator of American Horror Stories and Glee). The first feud was between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford during the filming of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane.

Response to this series will depend on audience sympathy or not with its central character, author Truman Capote (previously played by Philip Seymour Hoffman in his Oscar-winning role in Capote as well as by British actor Toby Jones in Infamous). Capote, from the south, found fame with Breakfast at Tiffany’s and then his research for and publication of In Cold Blood. However, effeminate in style, camp, openly gay, he found acceptance in affluent New York society, especially with a group of women in the 1960s whom he dubbed The Swans. However, he wrote fictitious articles about them, but their being quickly recognised, they turned on him.

Response to the series will also depend on audience attitudes towards the Swans, the self-centred way of life, their arrogance, social ambitions – and the vengeance on capacity.

The series has a very strong group of directors as well as acting cast. Tom Hollander is completely convincing as Truman Capote – and a bonus is the presence of Jessica Lange in memories and dreams of his mother.

For some perspective on the characters and moral issues, the fifth episode is interesting in a created meeting between Capote and author James Baldwin, his encouraging Capote but their discussing and analysing his relationship with The Swans and his writing.

The central characters are all real but this is an interpretation of them – and, to the anger of some reviewers, it is a hostile/critical interpretation of Capote.

1. The series on American Feuds?
2. Audience knowledge of Truman Capote? American society in the 1950s to the 1970s? Interest/not?
3. Truman Capote in himself, his life, his writings, success, reputation, vanity, gay orientation, love of society, the expose, vengeance wreaked on him, the impact of his mother, the meaning of his life?
4. The impact of the series, eight episodes, the range of writers, directors? The prestigious cast?
5. The episodes, moving around in time, flashbacks to Capote his childhood and relationship with his mother, as emerging in the 1950s, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, the 1960s, the research for writing In Cold Blood? His status? Yet his personal ambitions, the 1960s, society, friendships, his writing, the publication of the article, condemning the swans, reactions? His researching his reply, Answered Prayers? His drinking, drugs, health, relationships? Into the 1980s, his collapse, death?
6. The significance of the fifth episode, the conversation with James Baldwin, his character and career and writing in the light of this conversation, James Baldwin and his reputation, literature, living abroad, homosexuality? Discussing the situation with The Swans? An opportunity for moral evaluation of the themes and characters?
7. The attitude to New York society, wealthy, snobbery, status, moral perspectives, sexuality and relationships, betrayals, the impact of wealth, to be seen, restaurants, balls? Wealthy American New York society of the period? Households, mansions, lifestyle, fashion, beauty parlours and manicure is, servants…?
8. The portrayal of The Swans? Babe Paley and her relationship with Bill, his fears, his impact on the world of television, her patience with him, yet her coldness towards her children and alienation? The 1950s and 60s, Capote entering into this world, Bill Paley’s reaction? The cells next? Babe and her devotion to Capote, his devotion to her? Slick, haughty, her marriages and flaunting her husbands, vindictive attitudes? Gossip, the Royal family, international status? C.Z., her lifestyle, gardens, horses, posing nude for Frida Kahlo, the painting, her friendship with Capote, Brinkley to him, mediating? Lee Radziwill, her relationship with her sister, Jackie Kennedy, her place in society, interactions with Capote? Not supporting him?
9. Ann Woodward, her story, relationship with her husband, the shooting, her confronting Capote, the reaction of The Swans? His writing about her, her suicide? Her family coming later to haunt him?
10. The episode of the Black and White ball, the discussions, the guest of honour, the irony of the editor of the Washington Post, The Swans vying with each other, the visuals of the ball?
11. The Maysles Brothers? Their skills documentarians? The filming of the documentary on Capote in his life, in black and white, the presence of Albert Maysels’, devotion, dancing together? The effect of the film?
12. The bonds between the women, ladies who lunch, Capote and his entree into their world, friendship with Paley, Paley turning against him? Capote exploiting his friendships?
13. His writing, turning against the women, the visualising, the recognising themselves? The articles, widely read? The effect? The reaction of each of The Swans?
14. Capote, the baths, the encounter with John, the relationship, John and his moodiness, leaving his family, some violence towards Capote it? The irony of his daughter, her coming to Capote, his taking her on, as a project, as a model, the incident of her being bottled on babe Paley, Richard Avedon in the photo at his change?
15. Jack, the long relationship, his moving to Switzerland, his companions, trying to give advice to Capote?
16. The background of his feud with Gore Vidal?
17. Capote, the drinking, the intoxication of his connections, status in society, drugtaking, as range of partners and young men? Change of heart on not? The writing of Answered Prayers? Series dramatising the scenes from answered Prayers, the different light on The Swans?
18. Babe, arrogant, yet sympathetic, her husband, illness, revealing it, her death? Her grave?
19. The importance of his mother, her appearance in his fantasies, the reminiscence about the past, his bringing up, her influence, her being a prima donna?
20. His later years, Johnny Carson’s former wife, care for Capote, his death?
21. Audience response to the series, curiosity, prurience, revulsion, interest, judgement?