Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil
3/4
Starring: John Cusack, Kevin Spacey, Alison Eastwood, Jack Thompson, The Lady Chablis, Irma P. Hall, Jude Law
Rated R for Language and Some Violence
I suppose one could call "Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil" a murder mystery. Oh yes, someone does die under suspicious circumstances, and one of the lead characters is indeed charged with murder. But like more than a few movies of this type, it's about more than just plot. Clint Eastwood's telling of John Berendt's book (which is a nonfiction novel) is more accurately described as a travelogue through a curious Southern town.
John Kelso (Cusack) is a writer from New York City visiting Savannah, Georgia on business. His job is to write a 500-word piece on the Christmas party being hosted by Jim Williams (Spacey), a local art dealer and socialite. It doesn't take long for John and Jim to become fast friends. The night before John is due to return to New York, he is awoken to police cars and commotion outside of Jim's house. Jim's assistant, Billy Hanson (Law) lies dead of gunshot wounds. Jim claims self defense, but is later arrested. Sensing a great story for a book, John sticks around and investigates (for Jim and his own benefit).
Clint Eastwood is as famous a director as he is an actor. He's directed some pretty acclaimed movies, such as "The Bridges of Madison County" (which reinvigorated Meryl Streep's film career), "Unforgiven" (his overrated revisionist Western) and "Million Dollar Baby" (a ridiculously self-important movie that got everyone in a worship-frenzy when it was released). When behind the camera, Eastwood takes his time unfolding his story. A slow, deliberate pace can help or hurt a film (like his overrated debut, "Play Misty for Me"). In a story taking place in the steamy, lazy atmosphere of the deep South, it works. The film is 2.5 hours long, and for the most part the momentum doesn't flag.
The acting is good across the board. John Cusack tones down his usual neuroses to play an ideal everyman. We identify with John, and while he cedes the flashy color of his co-stars, we never lose sight of him. That's due entirely to the strength of Cusack's performance. Kevin Spacey loses himself in the role of the Southern Gentleman Jim Williams. He has the southern drawl, cigar and combover, and it doesn't take long to forget that it's Spacey. Alison Eastwood (Clint's daughter) is terrific as Mandy Nicholls, the local girl who arouses John's interest. Eastwood is like Kate Hudson, circa "Almost Famous." This subplot is a little underdeveloped, but the charisma and chemistry of John and Alison carry it through. The Lady Chablis and Irma P. Hall lend color as a drag queen who knew Billy and a voodoo practitioner, respectively. Also on hand is Jude Law in the small but important role of Billy Hanson. His acting is a little stiff, but he certainly looks the part.
If you're looking for a John Grisham-ish thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat, this isn't your movie. There is an uncertainty about how things will turn out, but it's not going to get anyone biting their nails. However, if you're looking for a movie where you can be soaked in by the Southern Gothic atmosphere and the bizarre characters, than it's a solid choice.
Starring: John Cusack, Kevin Spacey, Alison Eastwood, Jack Thompson, The Lady Chablis, Irma P. Hall, Jude Law
Rated R for Language and Some Violence
I suppose one could call "Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil" a murder mystery. Oh yes, someone does die under suspicious circumstances, and one of the lead characters is indeed charged with murder. But like more than a few movies of this type, it's about more than just plot. Clint Eastwood's telling of John Berendt's book (which is a nonfiction novel) is more accurately described as a travelogue through a curious Southern town.
John Kelso (Cusack) is a writer from New York City visiting Savannah, Georgia on business. His job is to write a 500-word piece on the Christmas party being hosted by Jim Williams (Spacey), a local art dealer and socialite. It doesn't take long for John and Jim to become fast friends. The night before John is due to return to New York, he is awoken to police cars and commotion outside of Jim's house. Jim's assistant, Billy Hanson (Law) lies dead of gunshot wounds. Jim claims self defense, but is later arrested. Sensing a great story for a book, John sticks around and investigates (for Jim and his own benefit).
Clint Eastwood is as famous a director as he is an actor. He's directed some pretty acclaimed movies, such as "The Bridges of Madison County" (which reinvigorated Meryl Streep's film career), "Unforgiven" (his overrated revisionist Western) and "Million Dollar Baby" (a ridiculously self-important movie that got everyone in a worship-frenzy when it was released). When behind the camera, Eastwood takes his time unfolding his story. A slow, deliberate pace can help or hurt a film (like his overrated debut, "Play Misty for Me"). In a story taking place in the steamy, lazy atmosphere of the deep South, it works. The film is 2.5 hours long, and for the most part the momentum doesn't flag.
The acting is good across the board. John Cusack tones down his usual neuroses to play an ideal everyman. We identify with John, and while he cedes the flashy color of his co-stars, we never lose sight of him. That's due entirely to the strength of Cusack's performance. Kevin Spacey loses himself in the role of the Southern Gentleman Jim Williams. He has the southern drawl, cigar and combover, and it doesn't take long to forget that it's Spacey. Alison Eastwood (Clint's daughter) is terrific as Mandy Nicholls, the local girl who arouses John's interest. Eastwood is like Kate Hudson, circa "Almost Famous." This subplot is a little underdeveloped, but the charisma and chemistry of John and Alison carry it through. The Lady Chablis and Irma P. Hall lend color as a drag queen who knew Billy and a voodoo practitioner, respectively. Also on hand is Jude Law in the small but important role of Billy Hanson. His acting is a little stiff, but he certainly looks the part.
If you're looking for a John Grisham-ish thriller that will have you on the edge of your seat, this isn't your movie. There is an uncertainty about how things will turn out, but it's not going to get anyone biting their nails. However, if you're looking for a movie where you can be soaked in by the Southern Gothic atmosphere and the bizarre characters, than it's a solid choice.
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