“Feud: Capote vs. The Swans”

“Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” (Hulu) drama series, based on the book “Capote's Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal, and a Swan Song for an Era” by Laurence Leamer. 

       As do the real Truman Capote's work, we don't know when fact ends and fiction begins, and they other way around. This series though wasn't written by Truman but by Mr Leamer about Truman and his high society frenemies. 

       But then all cinematic (re)readings of history or people/events past take liberty in warping truths and reworking facts. As we know it, “Feud” anthology creator Ryan Murphy is more known as creators of theatrically gory horror screamfest, so we know what to expect here. The first series though about Bette Davis and Joan Crawford was simply allrighty.

       Anyhow, Flobelle Burden, granddaughter of Babe Paley, said in an interview with New York Times, that she doesn't recognize her grandma in the series. 

       Also, Margaretta “Happy” Rockefeller ( wife then veep Nelson) as Bill Paley's mistress is a bit wild (as in the sex on her period). Uh huh. And where was another socialite Marguerite Littman, the inspiration to Mr Capote's Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” I ask. And wars James Baldwin's portrayal factual?

Never mind.

       “Feud: Capote vs. The Swans” had enough star gravitas to cover for the material's “cinematic license.” Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloe Sevigny, Calista Flockhart, Demi Moore, Molly Ringwald. Tom Hollander as Truman Capote is fine though he tends to over- act. (After Philip Seymour Hoffman in the 2005 film, no other Truman Capote was better.)

       Add as well that Gus (“Drugstore Cowboy,” “Milk”) Van Sant is also involved in directing.

       The series essentially rambles about Truman Capote's hot/cold friendships with a socialite group of New York City high society ("the Swans"). All in all, I did enjoy Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange better in the first “Feud.” 📺🎥📺