Illustration by Meilan Solly / Photos via FX Capote vs. the Swans Review Truman Capote, at the zenith of his fame, found himself deeply ...
Capote vs. the Swans Review
Truman Capote, at the zenith of his fame, found himself deeply entrenched within the elite social circles of New York City. His literary triumphs, notably "In Cold Blood" and "Breakfast at Tiffany's," propelled him into the inner sanctums of the city's affluent and glamorous denizens. Among these social elites were the Swans, a cohort of exquisitely adorned women whose influence pervaded the upper echelons of society. Laurence Leamer, in "Capote’s Women: A True Story of Love, Betrayal and a Swan Song for an Era," describes the Swans as possessing a magnetic allure that extended beyond physical beauty; they wielded intelligence and cunning with finesse. Recognizing that captivating a man's attention was only the beginning, these women understood the necessity of employing intellect and charm to retain his interest. For the Swans, maintaining allure came at a considerable price, requiring shrewdness and relentless determination. In their world, the ability to captivate and retain attention was paramount, and they navigated the social landscape with an unwavering resolve to uphold their status and influence.
The Swans thought Truman Capote was a close friend. They told him everything about their lives, like cheating on their spouses, using drugs, and arguing. But they didn't know Capote was taking notes for his new book, "Answered Prayers." When Esquire magazine published a preview of the book in November 1975, the Swans realized Capote had used their stories in his writing. In an essay called "La Côte Basque, 1965," Capote revealed their secrets, making their private lives public. This hurt the Swans deeply because they trusted Capote, but he betrayed them by sharing their personal stories with the world.
The making of “Feud: Capote vs. the Swans”
Based on Leamer’s 2021 book, the eight-episode series marks the second part of Ryan Murphy’s “Feud” anthology, which explores famous and longstanding conflicts. The initial series, premiered in 2017, delved into the rivalry between Hollywood icons Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, who clashed during the filming of the 1962 dark comedy "What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?"
Titled “Capote vs. the Swans,” the series features Tom Hollander as the iconic writer Truman Capote. Barbara “Babe” Paley, a prominent magazine editor, is portrayed by Naomi Watts and leads the group of Swans. The Swans include Nancy “Slim” Keith, a stylish socialite with three marriages (played by Diane Lane); Lucy Douglas “C.Z.” Guest, recognized for her writing, gardening, and love for horses (portrayed by Chloë Sevigny); Lee Radziwill, Jacqueline Kennedy's younger sister (played by Calista Flockhart); Ann Woodward, a former radio actress and model infamous for accidentally shooting her husband in 1955 (portrayed by Demi Moore); and Joanne Carson, the second wife of late-night talk show host Johnny Carson (portrayed by Molly Ringwald).
In a trailer for the show, Paley characterizes Capote as “our great protector and our best friend. We tell him everything, even the awful things we’ve all done to each other.” Capote reciprocates by explaining that he writes about the women “because they are beautiful and predatory.” When asked why he would want to hurt his friends, Capote responds, “This is what a writer does. This is bloody and true and real.”
Executive producer Jon Robin Baitz shares with Vanity Fair that he could empathize with the pain experienced by all parties and wrote the series from that perspective: pain for Truman, pain for the women, and pain for the dissolution of friendships and misguided priorities. A central theme of the series revolves around why Capote betrayed the trust of his friends and whether he understood the negative reception his work would receive. Biographer Gerald Clarke, speaking to Vanity Fair in 2012, revealed that he had warned Capote against pursuing the project, cautioning, “People aren’t going to be happy with this, Truman.” Capote dismissed these concerns, remarking, “Nah, they’re too dumb. They won’t know who they are.”
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