Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil (DVD)

Midnight in the garden of good and evil is a film based on the international best seller (by John Berendt). It’s said to be a true story, and therefor, although the plot is evident, its more of a discovery about a world, and an exploration of the characters, eccentric as they may be. The plot focuses on a murder trial of a rich man.

The film is based in Savannah, Georgia, USA. I recently visited Savannah, and that’s why ...
...that half an hour before midnight is "good time" and half an hour after is "evil time"


There are defiantly many issues surrounding the murder trial. The idea of the rich and the poor for example. Jim Williams is a very rich man, and this is linked to the murder case, and also to Minerva
who has nothing, though she helps in the case. The idea of sexuality is also evident, because Jim is homosexual, ... more

Midnight in the garden of good and evil is a film based on the international best seller (by John Berendt). It’s said to be a true story, and therefor, although the plot is evident, its more of a discovery about a world, and an exploration of the characters, eccentric as they may be. The plot focuses on a murder trial of a rich man.

The film is based in Savannah, Georgia, USA. I recently visited Savannah, and that’s why it makes the film a little more personal for me, as I have seen all the sites and buildings featured in the film. In Savannah, they are very proud of this film and book, as they all mention it. Also filmed there was Forrest Gump, although it was set in Alabama.

The story is about a journalist, John Kelso (John Cusack) who is sent to cover a story on Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey) famous Christmas party. Jim Williams is a wealthy and well liked man in Savannah, although he is a semi-closeted homosexual. Kelso arrives in Savannah, and attends the party, however things start to go downhill when he meets Billy (Jude Law), Jim Williams violent and young lover. Things take a turn for the worse when the party finishes and Billy is dead and Jim is on trial for murder charges. Kelso stays on in Savannah to cover the murder trial, helping his new found friend Jim along the way. During his stay, he meets savannahs eccentric and defiantly unique residents.

The film is directed by Clint Eastwood, and its said to be one of his best directions. It is defiantly amazing, the way it is put together, and some of the camera angles are awesome. Although it follows Kelso all the way, every character is given the opportunity to develop and interact with Kelso. I especially liked the way that Eastwood was able to contrast the ideas of good and evil. This is evident with the characters, as i felt they were divided into the good and the bad. Also, the way it goes from daylight, to the spookier night scenes in the garden, portrays the idea of good v.s evil.

The cast is defiantly what makes this film, it focuses on their lives and the idea of them being individuals.

*~*~* Characters. *~*~*
Jim Willams (Kevin Spacey). Rich, and famous man, semi-closeted homosexual.
John Kelso (John Cusuak). Narrator of the story. Journalist from New York, he builds bonds with the residents of Savannah
Lady Chablis (Chablis). Drag queen comedienne
Mandy Nichols (Alison Eastwood). Social butterfly, pretty and likeable.
Billy Hansford (Jude Law). Sexy but violent, Jim’s lover.
Minerva (Irma P.Hall) voodoo spiritualist. She gives name to the film when she says that half an hour before midnight is "good time" and half an hour after is "evil time"

There are defiantly many issues surrounding the murder trial. The idea of the rich and the poor for example. Jim Williams is a very rich man, and this is linked to the murder case, and also to Minerva
who has nothing, though she helps in the case. The idea of sexuality is also evident, because Jim is homosexual, the opposition tries to use it against him, in order to try and convict him. Also evident is the contrast between the New York culture, where Kelso is from, and the unique culture of the southern states. It also focuses on the characters as individuals, for example, there is a lot of difference and contrast between the man on the Jury who attaches flies to himself and threatens to poison the whole of savannah, to Lady Chablis, a drag queen comedienne.

The film manages to weave murder, voodoo, spiritualism and mystery into this murder trial. Although sometimes uneventful, it really is the characters that make the film what it is. It is very intriguing, and slightly scary, but at the same time, witty, and interesting. It gives us an insight into a culture very different and at the same time, there is difference within this culture.

I would recommend this to anyone, although it is not suitable for children. It is rated 15 due to violence (infrequent) and language (also fairly infrequent, but strong) Although it is rated 15, it is not highly scary, and therefore suitable for most. It is particularly good if you like American culture, the legal system and anything that is a bit different. If you have been to Savannah, I would defiantly, without a doubt recommend it to you, because I thought it was lovely seeing all the sights again. And if you like Jude Law, see it too! Although he makes a brief appearance, it’s worth seeing one of his lesser known films, to English people.

If you like films, which are intriguing, interesting, and defiantly centred around characters and their lives, then see this, you will love it. If you are not a fan of films, then read the book, because that is supposed to be amazing.

Staring - Kevin Spacey and John Cusack. Also features Jude Law, Alison Eastwood and Irma P.hall
Directed by - Clint Eastwood
Rated - 15
Running time - 149 minutes
Released - 1997
Website - http://goodandevil.warnerbros.com/ Go see the website, its brilliant, it features a map of Savannah, pin pointing the highlights and where the filming took place.

 

...less