Seven years after season 1, the anthology series “Feud” returns with “The Betrayals of Truman Capote”. In the casting: six exceptional actresses brought together for a drama with a hint of scandal. Verdict?
WHAT IS IT ABOUT ?
The famous writer Truman Capote stabbed several of his friends in the back – whom he called his “swans” – by publishing a novel entitled “La Côte Basque 1965” in Esquire in 1975.
Feud: The Betrayals of Truman Capote, a series created by Jon Robin Baitz and Ryan Murphy.
WHO IS IT WITH?
For this sequel to Feud, the creator Ryan Murphy brings together a group of actresses to die for: Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloë Sevigny, Demi Moore, Calista Flockhart and Molly Ringwald. All embody figures of the New York bourgeoisie who crossed paths with the writer Truman Capote before being betrayed by him. Speaking of the big bad wolf, he is played by Tom Hollander, stunning in the role.
IT’S WORTH CHECKING OUT ?
In the first season of Feud, Ryan Murphy was interested in the rivalry between two legends of Hollywood cinema, Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. A rivalry orchestrated and fueled by the misogynistic overtones of an industry in which women, once they reach a certain age, are put in the closet. Here, change of register. Well almost. It’s still about misogyny but the setting is different – New York – and the sphere as well. Goodbye to the Mecca of cinema, here comes American high society.
The story plunges back into a very real scandal: one day in November 1975, the writer Truman Capote published all the worst secrets of his friends in the pages of a major magazine, Esquire. In one morning, several reputations are tarnished in public. The very popular author indulges in rumors, even accusing one of his old acquaintances – Ann Woodward, played by Demi Moore – of having killed her husband.
The Swans pushed to the background
With such a story and such an explosive cast, we expected a lot of Feud: The Betrayals of Truman Capote. Maybe a little too much. The first two episodes of the series – the only ones offered to the press – turned out to be disappointing. There are numerous jumps in time, the dialogue scenes are far too long and cause pacing problems. Above all, it is difficult to really be interested in the destinies of these six women pushed to the background.
FX Networks Naomi Watts and Tom Hollander in “Feud: The Betrayals of Truman Capote”.
Those who were nicknamed the Swans – in reference to their grace and elegance – are becoming too rare. At least during the first two episodes. The plot focuses primarily on Truman Capote – played admirably by Tom Hollander -, brilliant but detestable character who only finds pleasure in the worst gossip.
A perfect aesthetic but…
Where the first season of Feud offered a tragic and feminist fable, The Betrayals of Truman Capote seems very bland and is limited to a somewhat banal morality which takes on the air of “money can not buy happiness“. In the direction, we find the director Gus Van Sant and again, few sparks. The filmmaker’s style is barely perceptible and does not make a difference.
All the same, there remains a visual spectacle worthy of the greatest fashion magazines of the time. The work on the sets – the glamorous New York of the seventies is wonderfully resurrected – and the costumes are of a high level. Just like the music, composed by Julia Newman and her father, Thomas Newman. All we can do is hope that this show gains more depth in subsequent episodes.
Feud: The Betrayals of Truman Capote is available on myCANAL.