FEUD: Capote vs The Swans (parents, favorite, status, children)
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Status:
"Pickleball-Free American"
(set 3 days ago)
Location: St Simons Island, GA
23,462 posts, read 44,083,751 times
Reputation: 16856
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 601halfdozen0theother
For those who aren't liking that there isn't a straight narrative flow throughout the series, I want to say: think of each episode as a short story. Capote's short stories were jewels, and so are the episodes in this show. I'm sure the writers of this series were influenced by the structure that Capote used in his work.
The non-linear narrative style is pretty evident in most of Ryan Murphy's body of work. It's typically associated with dramatic styling in Eastern cultures, as opposed to the more linear flow of Western style (exposition, rising action, climax, denouement).
I also read that article the other day. According to the granddaughter, her grandmother was very warm and loving-not at all as portrayed in the story. She also gave up smoking as soon as she was diagnosed with cancer. Most of this story is fictionalized. I don't think Babe Paley ever spoke to Capote again after the article was published.
I read the article as well. It was scathing. At the end of the article, she rightfully shamed the show’s [male] creators for profiting from her grandmother’s legacy by misogynisticaly distorting Paley’s character. And I think that the granddaughter’s critique is very on point: the characterizations of Capote and these women are one-dimensional and, even, sordid in an almost tabloidesque fashion because the show’s creators decided that was the best way to dramatize and thereby capitalize on the story, which is unfortunate. Such a missed opportunity.
If the creators had written nuanced and complicated characterizations of these women and Capote, then there would have been much more of a story and the series would have been interesting. Instead, they just gave us the same worn out and tired narrative of a bitchy, promiscuous gay man and his bitchy, rich frenemies. So disappointing.
The show keep repeating the same scenes and is focusing more on Capote and not enough on the swans. IMO it’s getting boring but I will finish watching it to the conclusion.
I thought that too until his French friend came. That episode knocked it out of the park.
Status:
"Pickleball-Free American"
(set 3 days ago)
Location: St Simons Island, GA
23,462 posts, read 44,083,751 times
Reputation: 16856
Quote:
Originally Posted by StarlaJane
I read the article as well. It was scathing. At the end of the article, she rightfully shamed the show’s [male] creators for profiting from her grandmother’s legacy by misogynisticaly distorting Paley’s character. And I think that the granddaughter’s critique is very on point: the characterizations of Capote and these women are one-dimensional and, even, sordid in an almost tabloidesque fashion because the show’s creators decided that was the best way to dramatize and thereby capitalize on the story, which is unfortunate. Such a missed opportunity.
If the creators had written nuanced and complicated characterizations of these women and Capote, then there would have been much more of a story and the series would have been interesting. Instead, they just gave us the same worn out and tired narrative of a bitchy, promiscuous gay man and his bitchy, rich frenemies. So disappointing.
I think you correctly identified the problem here: Archetypal aging, narcissistic queen goes to war with archetypal aging, narcissistic society mavens...not a recipe for viewer satisfaction. It's like watching a ping-pong match: Rage, lament, rage, lament. There has to be more nuance to these (IRL) clearly complex characters. Only the portrayals of CZ Guest and Joanne Carson seem to have escaped this cycle.
I found this interview with a late-in-life Lee Radziwill interesting, as she appears so unlike the portrayal we've been seeing.
Not sure I would call him French. He was an American expat who lived in France for most of his life and died there. But he was born and educated in the U.S. In that regard, he is like Josephine Baker, who also lived in France to get away from the violent racism in the U.S.
There was a very interesting piece in the New York Times today. It was written by Babe Paley's granddaughter. Here's a link to the article. I hope it doesn't have a paywall but I know there are work-arounds for that, although I don't know what they are. With any luck it will be accessible to all.
There was a very interesting piece in the New York Times today. It was written by Babe Paley's granddaughter. Here's a link to the article. I hope it doesn't have a paywall but I know there are work-arounds for that, although I don't know what they are. With any luck it will be accessible to all.
Status:
"Pickleball-Free American"
(set 3 days ago)
Location: St Simons Island, GA
23,462 posts, read 44,083,751 times
Reputation: 16856
Quote:
Originally Posted by StarlaJane
Not sure I would call him French. He was an American expat who lived in France for most of his life and died there. But he was born and educated in the U.S. In that regard, he is like Josephine Baker, who also lived in France to get away from the violent racism in the U.S.
That is the more accurate statement. Both expatriated for the sake of artistic (and in Baldwin's case, sexual) freedom.
What the granddaughter says might be true, and it might not. It's just what one person is saying. For all I know, maybe the TV show is more accurate.
I believe the granddaughter’s memories more than I believe those of people who never even met Paley but are clearly profiting from presenting a sensationalized version of her to audiences. Moreover, even if some of the Feud characterization of Paley is true, the point is that the portraits of all of the characters in this series are very one-dimensional.
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