Unveiling the Real Drama: A Critical Review of “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”
In the sprawling landscape of television drama, FX’s latest offering, “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans,” emerges with the promise of delving into Truman Capote’s turbulent relationship with the elite denizens of New York society. Premiering on FX and streaming on Hulu, this second season of the anthology series “Feud” ambitiously unfolds across eight episodes, spanning over seven hours. However, beneath the veneer of anticipation, the series disappoints, echoing the very boredom that its protagonist despised.
A Narrative Mired in Unfulfilled Potential
The focal point of “Capote vs. the Swans” is the period between the publication of Capote’s provocative piece, “La Côte Basque, 1965,” in November 1975 and the death of Babe Paley in July 1978. The narrative attempts to encapsulate Capote’s rise to fame with “In Cold Blood” in the 1960s, his glamorous days as a socialite, and his subsequent descent into alcoholism leading to his demise in 1984.
Despite the potential for gossipy, sexy, and tragic entertainment, the creators, including writer Jon Robin Baitz, director Gus Van Sant, and executive producer Ryan Murphy, opt for a chilly, moralistic tone. Unfortunately, this approach renders the series as forbidding and vindictive as the society figures who pass judgment on Capote.
