Review: In Cold Blood (1967) · 12:17am Nov 19th, 2015
Richard Brooks' dynamic and impactful cinematic adaptation of Truman Capote's magnum opus stands as one of the best book to film adaptations, and as one of the best films of the sixties.
Filmed in stark yet atmospheric black and white, Brooks perfectly recreates Capote's unique immersion into the world of his characters, all real people. Recounting the brutal murder of the Clutter family in the remote Kansas town of Holcomb by two drifters, Brooks approaches the film almost like a documentary, doing a beautiful job at being naturalistic, while still maintaining a dramatic drive, and his use of editing, contrasting the actions of the duo of Richard Hickcock and Perry Smith sharply with the actions of everyone else. And, in keeping the focus firmly on Hickcock and Blake, Brooks peers into their respective psyches, and shows how they tick.
Both Robert Blake and Scott Wilson give tour de force performances as murders Perry Smith and Richard Hickcock. From Wilson's channeling of Paul Newman as the more roguish, antsy Richard Hickcock to Robert Blake's coiled, introverted and lonely Perry Smith. Both work off each other excellently, and do a beautiful job at humanizing the duo, while simultaneously highlighting the inner darkness that bubbles beneath the surface of their facades.
Conrad Hall's cinematography does an absolutely beautiful job at helping create the moody, stark and darkly atmospheric aura of the film. Often lit with source lighting or low-key, naturalistic lighting, its some of the most beautiful black and white cinematography I've ever seen.
Quincy Jones' prickly, tense score does a wonderful job at mixing Jones' ear for melody with the dark proceedings. Bubbling and fizzing with a smokey jazz beat, the score heightens tension, while also providing softer, more melancholic moments, and earned a greatly justified Oscar nomination for Original Score.
So all in all, In Cold Blood was a fascinating, impactful and immersive cinematic experience, and comes highly recommended by all those who enjoy crime dramas, or just dramas in general.
5 out of 5
