Production Year: 1997 - Drama - Director: Clint Eastwood - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Michael O'Hagan, Collin Wilcox Paxton, Joann Pflug, Terry Rhoads, Judith Robinson, Sonny Seiler, Jin Hi Soucy, Bess S. Thompson, Tyrone Lee Weaver, Gary Anthony Williams, Kevin Spacey, John Cusack, Alison Eastwood, Kim Hunter, Geoffrey Lewis, Jack Thompson, John Duncan, Richard Herd, Paul Hipp, Leon Rippy, Jude Law, Irma P. Hall, Michael Rosenbaum, Georgia Allen, Dan Biggers, Charles Black, Tim Black, Victor Brandt, Patrika Darbo, Margaret R. Davis, Virginia Duncan, Shannon Eubanks, Greg Goossen, Rhoda Griffis, Bob Gunton, Anne Haney, Kevin Harry, Patricia Herd, Emma Kelly, Amanda Kingery, Dorothy Kingery, Susan Kingery, Lady Chablis, Dorothy Loudon, Ted Manson, J. Patrick McCormack, Aleta Mitchell, James Moody, Muriel Moore, qNick Gillie more
Bringing John Berendt's international best-selling novel, MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, to the screen must have been a challenge. The book is essentially an anecdotal... more
bound to be at least somewhat disappointed by this big-screen adaptation, but despite mixed reaction from critics and audiences, there's still plenty to admire ab...
bound to be at least somewhat disappointed by this big-screen adaptation, but despite mixed reaction from critics and audiences, there's still plenty to admire ab...
host Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey) shoots a man to death. The party is over, the mystery begins. Director Clint Eastwood weaves murder, mystery and voodoo into a sumptuous adaptation of the John Berendt bestseller based on true events. Spacey and John Cusack as a journalist drawn to Savannah's decadence and eccentrics lead a nimble cast that includes Jack Thompson, Alison Eastwood and The Lady Chablis. For 'one of the best American films of the year' (Boston Herald), rendezvous at Midnight in the garden of Good and evil.
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
A review by Isobel_Princess on Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil (DVD) August 10th, 2001
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Loved it
Story
Good
Characters / Performances
Outstanding
Special Effects
Good
How does it compare to similar films?
Outstanding
Advantages:
intiguing, an insight into american culture
Disadvantages:
not good if you like tons of action in a film
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
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.
More Reviews
"New York Is Boring!" Review ofMidnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil (DVD)by
habitualdamnation
Advantages: Quiet charm, atypical direction, satisfying ending Disadvantages: No substantial message, just great film-making
Truly demonstrated in this film as the story takes place in Savannah, Georgia, one of the oldest established southern states in the USA. As John Cusack told his nagging agent on the phone, they walk imaginary pets here, they're all heavily armed and they're all drunk. This is definitely a strange movie with a very misleading title and yet surprisingly satisfying!
*******
SYNOPSIS: Based on John Berendt's best-selling book of the same title, the ... ...murder case in Savannah. An enthusiastic journalist for Town & Country magazine from New York is assigned to write on a high-classed elitist party thrown by a wealthy proprietor Mr. James Williams. The millionaire is subsequently accused of the murder of his gay lover and the journalist stays on to investigate the matter as he plans to write a book about it. Fascinated as he already is by the southern mannerisms and idiosyncrasies, the city-slicker ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Plot: John Kelso, a magazine reporter on a visit in Savannah, attends a party given by Jim Williams, a self-made man and antiques collector. Later the same night Jim Williams is accused of murder. Based on the novel by John Berendt.
Bringing John Berendt's international best-selling novel, MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL, to the screen must have been a challenge. The book is essentially an anecdotal travelogue of the fascinating city of Savannah, Georgia. The filmmakers decided to add a character, John Kelso (well played by John Cusack), a writer from New York, who's meant to represent Berendt's point of view. They also put most of the focus of the narrative on the murder trial of local millionaire socialite Jim Williams (the redoubtable Kevin Spacey). This is slightly problematic in that Kelso, a mere observer, now becomes the central character of the film. But director Clint Eastwood (straying from his usual milieu, and, atypically, not appearing the film) and writer John Lee Hancock still manage to capture the quirky spirit of the book. They're greatly aided in this regard by the lush images of cinematographer Jack N. Green and the detailed work of production designer Henry Bumstead, who create just the right atmosphere for the small city and its environs. The strong cast, including actual Savannah residents such as sparkplug transsexual the Lady Chablis, makes the film an enjoyable idyll in a strange yet welcoming place.
Technical information
Special Features: Interactive Menus, Production Notes, Scene Access
Aspect Ratio: 1.85 Wide Screen
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1
Dubbing Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 English French Italian
Professional reviews
Review: "...Kevin Spacey puts in yet another effortlessly suave turn..." (Sight and Sound, p.52-3, 01/03/1998)
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Listed on Ciao since : 10/08/2001
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