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Too much of everything

Absolutely Fantastic

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

I have had friends tell me that the book "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" is fantastic...better than the book. And, apparently, film reviewers felt the same way...that the movie was a bit of a disappointment. Well, I've never read the book and have no idea if this is the case...but I did enjoy the movie.Now before I talk about that, I must talk about the actual case. Yes, this film is based on a read murder case that was tried (four times) and ultimately resulted in....well, I don't want to spoil the suspense. John Berendt wrote the book about this famous case and instead of making it a standard non-fiction book, wrote it in a narrative fashion that seemed almost like fiction. Now this is important to me, because I can guarantee that much of what I saw in the film was, at the very least, an exaggeration...as no town, not even Savannah, is that weird and I put little credence in the doings of voodoo priest and men who walk non-existent dogs and a guy who wears live bugs on strings about his head. Surely at least SOME of what was in the film (and book) was fiction or at least exaggeration!!The story revolves around a writer, John Kelso (John Cusack). Why he was re-named Kelso and they didn't just say it was John Berendt is odd...and, odder still, that they added a female romantic interest when Berendt was gay! I don't think it's completely a case of white- washing, as several characters in the film were gay and a prominent character, Lady Chablis (played by herself), was a trans-gendered individual.Regardless of this, the story supposedly involved him getting to know the killer before, during and after the case. I assume this was fictionalized by Berendt and/or the filmmakers. Again, regardless, the film is about the ensuing trial and the MANY weirdos John Kelso encounters as he stays in town and watches the events unfold.I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I was surprised when I read that some folks found the film confusing...I thought it all made sense and worked. But the only apprehension I have is that it left me wanting to know the truth of the story...without the embellishments. Well worth seeing and NEVER dull...especially when Chablis was in the film....that is truly memorable!!!

Without a doubt, the colourful story line and intrigued guide this brilliant script through the gorgeous streets of Savannah, Georgia. The US South's historical cities are probably some of the most beautiful in the entire world, whether its historical New Orleans or Savannah. I only wish I was able to live in such a place, stuck in the dreary West Coast struggling to have 22 degree highs in the summer, but enough about me. The combination of story line, the feel of the movie, and the excellent acting of Spacey lead me to give this underrated movie a 10-10, which I have only reserved for exception movies, like Ronin, Casino, and The Goodfellas. This is a brilliant piece of work and should be watched by every movie buff.

I love this movie intensely. It is a movie adaptation of a book of the same name. If you're a fan of sleuthy novels, you should really pick that book up sometime, as it combines the mystery genre with the charm of a comic book. The movie exaggerates or completely alters the book version. That's not necessarily bad. I first saw this movie on USA one late night and I've never regretted it. It stars John Cusack as John Kelso, a writer who takes on a reporter job for Town & Country to cover a notoriously extravagant tradition of a party that is annually hosted by Jim Williams, played by Kevin Spacey. The parties take place in Savannah, Georgia, a charming city that otherwise falls in obscurity, had it not been for its flamboyant characters and stories. Kelso attends the party as planned, meets some colorful characters along the way and seemingly prepares to depart as the job is now done. Except for the fact that the man who hosts this party, who also asked for Kelso himself to cover it; being a fan of his literary work, commits a murder during the same night of the party and Kelso finds himself not only involved in the ensuing events, but oddly drawn to the mystery behind it as well. The movie delivers some strong performances: John Cusack is always a pleasure to watch and is really an underrated actor, considering he started out as a teen in easygoing movies like 'Class' and 'Better off Dead' and has evolved into a seriously versatile actor with commanding on screen presence. I love watching the guy. Kevin Spacey never fails to disappoint in this movie, and it is probably one of his most finest roles ever, because he embraces the mythology around his real life counterpart and was praised for his uncanny resemblance to him by real party goers who met Jim Williams during his parties. You really have to be a hateful person to not appreciate the chemistry Cusack and Spacey share on screen. Actual persons related to the actual events appeared in the film; most notable Jerry Spence and Sonny Seiler who defended Jim Williams in the real trial. That alone, gives the movie an already settling atmosphere, even though some names and events have been changed for the sake of dramatization. Now, you can't hate this movie for its accuracy. Fact of the matter is, we love drama and we regard them as gems when they are done right. We love Sci-Fi movies, even though 90% of the happenings in the movie are not true. It's still a great movie, that doesn't need to follow the book because the city itself is surrounding by doubtful myths and occurrences. It strongly suggests that a lot of voodoo is practiced by certain people, including Williams himself, and the fact is, it is not so. Many people from Savannah are just as god-fearing as anyone and some even decry the rumors about it, but it adds flavor to the story, which in agreement, is very purposeful. Many characters in the movie leave you with a feeling of content because of how they were portrayed; Joe Odom and Lady Chablis being the most notable. They are supporting characters that made you wish they had more screen time or more development in their stories, hell, even a sequel but of course, that may be too much in this case. The party scenes look as lavish and ostentatious as you'd want. It really does not look as uptight as it would have you believe, for some of the characters display an outrageous and downright funny demeanor in their performances. It really has made me interested in visiting Savannah in all of its vintage glamour, but according to my own research and recent anecdotes, the atmosphere is now different. The movie was very well done and given the obvious anachronisms and factual errors, it is a charming and delightful piece of cinema that should be watched by all. It really meshed a nice touch of ambiguous comedy and grim outlook with some elegant performances and sarcastic cheerfulness. I have it on DVD and will watch it every once in awhile, just so I can soak up some of its magnetic visuals and become immersed in the story. I do that with video games sometimes too, especially if the story and gameplay is genuinely compelling. Im weird, I know. If you haven't watched this movie, do so. It is not a waste of time at all, because at the very worst, it is a interesting film that doesn't miss its mark even if you're not a fan of the genre.

Eastwood has proved himself as a filmmaker before--- but not here. This is a misfire.Sure, any movie has to have certain changes --- four trials distilled down into one, composite characters, even key manufactured roles thru which to "convey" the events to the audience--- but these were not the flaws in Eastwood's semi-botching of John Berendt's book.No, Clint just messed up the film on its own. And one gets the distinct feeling he optioned the movie rights to this as either a vanity project or because he liked Johnny Mercer's music. But not from a love of the subject matter.Much of the southern Gothic potential is squandered, the "sleepy" mood intended instead becomes mere glacial pacing, and there is an all-round bored feeling coming from the camera, from Mr. Eastwood... Yes, there is a good cast, but nothing is done with them... Even the scene on which the title is based, the voodoo ritual in the graveyard, is as flat and uninspired as it could be.Clint seemed to ALMOST have the right idea, as the picture opens with a drifting, sailing shot over the marshes, fading into that statue in the moss-drenched Bonaventure cemetery --- all set to KD Lang's haunting version of a Mercer tune....But it's pretty much downhill from there.