A woman's truth

One of the extraordinary things about "Capote" is that it's a flick about a world of men -- Capote, his editor boss, male cops, male murderers -- that yet has a strong female character in it. Harper Lee (played by Catherine Keener), who went on to publish the anti-racist "To Kill A Mockingbird," has lines, a personality, whole scenes, even! Be still my heart.

Her portrayal stands in stark contrast to the chicks in the two big George Clooney movies out these last two months. George (I used to be a matinee idol, but then I got politics) Clooney has turned into such a cutie leftie. First was his cautionary "Good Night, and Good Luck" retelling of newsman Edward R. Murrow's nerve as he helped shut the door on the hysterical red-baiting of American senator Joe McCarthy in the 1950s. Then "Syriana," a movie that (simplistically, but hey, it's a movie) tells of the U.S. of A.'s determination to keep oil-producing nations under its thumb.

"Syriana" features many silent women, holding babies or nodding acquiescence or sleeping through panicked telephone calls intended for their Very Important husbands. "Capote" went out of its way to add character-building scenes for a woman; Syriana treats them all like mannequins.

"Good Night and Good Luck" has one female character who does have a few lines -- but frankly, the writers could have tried a little harder.

I enjoyed both of Clooney's flicks. But to be a thoughtful politico, Georgie, means you need to remember women, too.