Hoffman Calls Capote an 'Elusive' Figure

Monday, February 20th 2006, 10:20 am

By: News On 6

BERLIN (AP) _ Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Truman Capote has put him in the running for an Oscar next month, but the actor says he found Capote an elusive character to play.

``Capote,'' directed by Bennett Miller, screened outside the main competition Friday at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The movie chronicles the period in the author's life when he was researching and writing ``In Cold Blood,'' and delves into the darker side of the writer's character.

``When you're playing a character, I think you have to leave the doors open as long as possible about them, try to put judgment aside,'' Hoffman told reporters.

``Pretty much everything is nuanced,'' he added. ``Capote for sure _ he's incredibly elusive, and it's kind of maddening playing him because he was elusive.''

The film has Oscar nominations for best movie; best actor for Hoffman; best director for Miller; best supporting actress for Catherine Keener; and best adapted screenplay for Dan Futterman.

Hoffman wouldn't comment on his chances of winning.

``I don't really want to answer that,'' the 38-year-old actor said. ``What I think is really exciting for all of us is when the film's nominated.''