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All rights reserved.Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1998, DVD)
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| Movie Description 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.
Notes DVD Features: Region 1 Keep Case "The Real People in the Garden" - Interactive Tour of Savannah with Historical Notes and Interviews with the People Depicted in the Book and Film Interactive Menus Production Notes Theatrical Trailer Scene Access, Theatrical release: November 21, 1997. The film was shot on location in Savannah, Georgia, and in Los Angeles. Several of the colorful local characters in the book, including the Lady Chablis, hairdresser Jerry Spence, and the piano player, Emma Kelly, play themselves in the film. Sonny Seiler, Jim Williams's lawyer, who is played by Jack Thompson in the film, plays Judge White. Former University of Georgia mascot Uga IV (the bulldog) is played by his own offspring, Uga V, who himself was named top college mascot by Sports Illustrated. The film's soundtrack is a tribute to Savannah's own Johnny Mercer, featuring versions of Mercer songs by such artists as kd lang, Paula Cole, Alison Krauss, Rosemary Clooney, and Joe Williams. Clint Eastwood himself contributes vocals to a version of "Accentuate the Positive." The actual case against Jim Williams, as detailed in the book, went on for several years. He was originally convicted of murder, but the conviction was thrown out on appeal. There were two more trials before he was acquitted. Editorial Reviews Sight and Sound - p.52-3 - Jonathan Romney Box Office - Lisa Osborne (02/01/1998) | Find errors in the product description? Submit a catalog update request now. | ||||||||||
Top Reviews  Midnight in the Garden of Good and EvilReview created: 11/21/05 by:  4 of 6 people found this review helpful. Strong story and action. Kevin Spacy and John Kusak at their best - almost as good as the book. Steeped with traditions of the South and takes on an forbidden relationship with deathly consequences. This is the kind of movie everyone should keep in their private collectiom of all time favorites Review ID: 10000000000069889 Was this review helpful? Report this review Reviews  A disappointmentReview created: 08/18/08 by: mazemama_123 ( 6 ) I had just read the book so I decided I buy the movie. It doesn't do the book justice as it leaves out a whole lot. It is a true story (the book is listed as non-fiction). One thing I absolutely love about the movie is that a few of the characters are played by the REAL people...as themselves. This DVD does have some great special features that are true to the book as well as the movie. Review ID: 10000000008385279 Was this review helpful? Report this review Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1998, DVD)Great story about the old savanna and the prejudices that arose between the old and the new society. The cross dresser and the voodoo madam steal the show. kevin spacey and john cusak are great also. The lawyer is a great character also Review ID: 10000000008258998 Was this review helpful? Report this review A Grand Showcase for the City of SavannahReview created: 08/02/08(updated 08/26/08) by: Although Kevin Spacey is wonderful as Jim Williams and John Cusack is great as John Kelso, the real star of this movie is the city of Savannah, Georgia, and some of its illustrious characters. The central story of the movie, directed by Clint Eastwood, is the 1970s murder trial of Jim Williams (Spacey), who is accused of murdering his gay lover Billy Hanson (Jude Law). Jim is an exquisite antique dealer and lived in and had remodeled the famed Mercer House in Savannah (yes, that's Johnny Mercer, "Moon River" and "Autumn Leaves" are two of his songs). Jim is having his traditional Christmas party with a New York reporter (Kelso) visiting to report on the event when the murder happens. Based on the book by John Berendt, the movie is a good example of sleepy Southern hospitality with lots of interesting characters. For example there is Luther Driggers, who has flies on strings that fly around him, and who threatens to poison the drinking water of Savannah. He becomes the foreman of the jury. There is Minerva, the voodoo emissary to the dead, who visits the cemetery where Billy Hanson is buried to keep him under control. She has all kinds of potions and sayings that seem to predict what is going to happen. There is Sonny Seilers, the judge in the movie, who was really the defense attorney in the third trial of Jim Williams. Yes, it actually took 4 trials, but the movie only covers one and changes the outcome. There is Mandy Hillis, played by Clint Eastwood's daughter Allison Eastwood. She becomes John Kelso's love interest and helps uncover a clue that becomes important in the trial. She also sings some of the Mercer songs. But the icing on the cake is Lady Chablis, a transvestite personality who becomes a major part of the movie. She dresses to the hilt and works with John Kelso to put a slant on Billy Hanson's character. But more than that, we get to see her act at the Club One nightclub. Yes, she is vulgar and outspoken and may turn off many viewers. She is just so unique that she almost steals the show. This movie also has a different special feature that introduces some of the real people of Savannah who did not get to play themselves in the movie. Interestingly, they are introduced from a map of the city of Savannah. We also meet Dorothy Williams Kingery, Jim's sister. This movie is well worth watching although it is 2-1/2 hours long. The special features are also well worth watching. They may make you want to take a tour of the city. And don't forget the Bird Girl, the statue of the little girl you see holding the two plates in balance. This movie, however, is definitely not balanced! Review ID: 10000000008162323 Was this review helpful? Report this review just one of the good Clint Eastwood moviesReview created: 07/15/08 by: it's one of my favorite moves enjoy watching it every now & then new HD TV with 5.1 Doby sound is great Review ID: 10000000007986188 Was this review helpful? Report this review |
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