Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Amazon.com

Readers of John Berendt's bestselling novel were 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 about director Clint Eastwood's take on the material. Readers will surely miss the rich atmosphere and societal detail that Berendt brought to his "Savannah story," and the movie can only scratch the surface of Georgian history, tradition, and wealthy decadence underlying Berendt's fact-based murder mystery. Still, Eastwood maintains an assured focus on the wonderful eccentrics of Savannah, most notably a gay Savannah antiques dealer (superbly played by Kevin Spacey), who may or may not have killed his friend and alleged lover (Jude Law). John Cusack plays the Town & Country journalist who arrives in Savannah to find much more than he bargained for--including the city's legendary drag queen Lady Chablis (playing "herself")--and John Lee Hancock's smoothly adapted screenplay succeeds in bringing Berendt's characters vividly to life with plenty of flavorful dialogue. In similar fashion to Warner's acclaimed DVD of L.A. Confidential, this classy DVD includes a behind-the-scenes documentary titled The Real People in the Garden and an interactive map tour of Savannah and its most celebrated (or notorious) citizens. The original theatrical trailer is also included. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Academy award-winning director clint eastwood helms this story based on john berendt's best-selling book examining contemporary events and unique characters in picturesque savannah, georgia, following a shocking murder. alternately suspenseful, satirical

Customer Reviews:

Fun and mysterious.......2007-09-06

This movie was out for quite a while before I saw it, and I really enjoyed the crazy cast of characters. I didn't read the book, which is likely even better, but the movie wove a fun and intriguing tale.

Savannah.......2007-06-27

Love this movie, slow but deep. Love visiting Savannah right after watching! Purchased, shipped, received fast!

one of the best movies of all time.......2007-05-13

The book is just as quirky as Savannah or is the Savannah as quirky as the book...an all time favorite that should be on every one's shelf...you never know when you might new it !!

southern hospitality.......2007-03-09

The star of this movie is: John Cusack. Kevin Spacey. The Lady Chablis. Minerva, the juju woman. Savannah. Uga.

Okay, Uga can only be a supporting star; #1.,his part is small - important, but limited, and #2., he's a dog.

But everybody in this quirky, involving, dramatized true story is a star without a doubt, including a few folks you will recognize from other movie roles but not be able to put a name to. This is the sort of movie that attaches itself to followers of "Northern Exposure" and other vehicles for personal expression and individuality. The setting itself is spectacular; Savannah, Georgia, a town I could place on a map but until this didn't know much about, is suddenly at the top of my list of places to see before the end. There is undeniable Southern charm, the cliqueishness of a community dedicated to keeping outsiders in the dark, an indefinable spookiness aided by Spanish moss hanging from the trees and lush green gardens and dark corners everywhere; mystery permeates every frame of this film, augmented by a waggish I'm-Southern-and-you're-not attitude presented by almost everybody without rancor or arrogance. These are people comfortable in their own skins and they don't care if the visitor is particularly at ease or not.

John Kelso (John Cusack), a writer for Town & Country Magazine, gleans the peach assignment of covering the annual and much-desired Christmas party hosted by Savannahian Jim Williams, an entrepreneur restorer of old mansions and art works who resides in the gorgeous former home of songwriter Johnny Mercer. The house itself is a character in the movie; classy, elegant, well-appointed, it is the architectural equivalent of its human conservator, Jim Williams, who oversees every aspect of his place in Savannah society with panache. Genteel is a word that applies to all but one of the principals here, and that principal makes his raucous and vulgar debut fairly early in the Christmas party. During John Kelso's tour of this beautiful home, as he is being shown around by Jim Williams, a loud, ill-dressed young man strides threateningly into the room yelling at Jim, and we are introduced to Billy Hanson (Jude Law), who is miffed that he wasn't included in the party. It's obvious from the start that there is more to this meeting than is immediately apparent, and you can watch the wheels turning in John Kelso's mind as he attempts to work it out. After the vulgar young man stomps out, an unruffled Jim Williams explains with perfect Southern charm, "Uh, that was Billy Hanson, works part time in the shop - and can, at times, be a very colourful character."

Later on, John Kelso is awakened in his carriage-house quarters by a deal of noise and confusion, and wanders out into a surreal scandal which becomes his full induction into Savannah and all its many colours: wall-to-wall police at the Mercer home, all of Savannah milling about outside in the dark, and a dead Billy Hanson in the front room, an obviously traumatised Jim Williams giving an emotional account of Billy's demise in another room to the police detective. John Kelso is allowed to wander through the crime scene unchallenged for a few minutes until he himself realizes what he is doing and vacates.

The movie swings into overdrive now in its parade of colourful characters. John Kelso, abandoning his Christmas party coverage in favour of instead writing a book about what he sees to be a sensational story, embarks upon an examination of everyone involved. The movie is clearly stolen by the Lady Chablis, a local showgirl and friend of many of the principals, who knows a little too much about everybody and who is, moreover, played to perfection by the actual Lady Chablis (I can't imagine anyone else in this role). Others in this group of individuals includes the actual defense attorney in the subsequent trial (in the movie he plays the judge); an old juju woman who communes with the dead; a juror in the trial who wanders through Savannah with a flock of horseflies attached to his person via threads superglued to the flies; an entertaining duo who run a club (the woman singer is played extremely well by Clint Eastwood's daughter Alison); and various other small parts that make up a cohesive whole of a truly unique and charming community.

The fact that this true story was portrayed by many of the people who were actually involved is a great stroke of luck; they bring a light to the story that would fall a little flat otherwise. (The Lady Chablis is her own story, and it is impossible to look away when she is onscreen.) Kevin Spacey is unsurpassed in his portrayal (he even bears a remarkable resemblance to the real Jim Williams) and his wonderful Southern diction is worth listening to no matter what he is saying. John Cusack's wide-eyed-New-York-writer is well-played also. The only role i thought a bit stilted was Jude Law's Billy Hanson, which was jarring (perhaps on purpose) and seemed strained.

The extras section, which includes a tour of the noted locations in Savannah, is as interesting as the movie itself, and as said previously, makes me eager to visit this beautiful city.

Very good product.......2007-02-14

The DVD is of very good quality. The jacket is in very good shape, also.

There were no scratches on the DVD and no smeared scenes, either.

I am pleased with the product.

City Hall/Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Average customer rating:

John Cusack Double Feature ...From The Big Apple To The Jewel Of The South

City Hall/Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Starring: Al Pacino , John Cusack , Bridget Fonda , Danny Aiello , and Martin Landau
Director: Harold Becker , and Clint Eastwood
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video

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Scent of a Woman

ASIN: B0000DC158
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Customer Reviews:

John Cusack Double Feature ...From The Big Apple To The Jewel Of The South.......2006-03-30

John Cusack is involved in two mysteries. Once as a Southerner in NYC, and then again as a New Yorker in Savannah.

"City Hall"...4 stars
Harold Becker directs a terrific cast in this smart political thriller,"City Hall". It takes place in New York City and revolves around a shootout on the streets of Brooklyn that took the lives of a drug dealer, a cop, and a six year old boy caught in the crossfire.

Deputy Mayor Calhoun(John Cusack), an idealistic but in the know transplant from the South,begins his own investigation that at every turn leads him up the ladder of the political bosses in New York.It also leads to more murders as the cover up begins.

The drug dealer (the nephew of a powerful crime boss),had been let off on probation a couple of years earlier, and this is the focus of the investigation. How did this happen? Who is responsible for allowing this criminal to walk the streets? Everyone is suspect from the Probation Officer to the sentencing Judge. Or could it go all the way to the top? To the man that Calhoun idealizes,his mentor, his boss, the very savvy, diplomatic Mayor John Pappas(Al Pacino).

Al Pacino gives an electrifying performance as only he could do as the leader of the great city of New York. Cusak is excellent in his role as "The Mayor's Boy". They are joined by one great supporting cast. Danny Aiello, Tony Franciosa, Martin Landau, Bridget Fonda and David Paymer, who all turn in terrific performances.You don't want to miss a minute of this mystery, there is always a new twist or turn occurring in the plot.We are also treated to lots of scenes of the city itself.A good story with great acting that will have you totally involved.
So get the popcorn ready and enjoy.

"Midnight In The Garden Of Good and Evil"...5 stars
New York free-lance jouranlist John Kelso(John Cusack) is in Savannah to cover an elite annual Christmas party thrown by the nouveau-riche Jim Williams(Kevin Spacey). John is in awe of the splendor,the charms,the opulence, and history of his surroundings. The party takes place in the Mercer House, built by the grandfather of Johnny Mercer.John meets some very colorful characters at the party. They all seem to be living in another world, one that is decadent and oblivious to the rest of the world.

John is about to wrap his little essay for "Better Homes and Gardens" magazine, but when the evening ends with a mysterius murder, he stays on and become embroiled in the odd trial that follows.John decides to do a little investigating on his own, as he plans to write a book about the whole sordid affair. Jim Williams is the one on trial for the murder of a belligerent employee(Jude Law). Was he merely an employee though? What was the relationship of these two?

During his investigating John encounters an eccentric array of characters, who all become important in some way to the trial. You'll meet Minerva, the voo-doo lady,who uses charms and spells to help Jim, "The Lady Chablis", a transexual who brings her own special charms to the story, and some of the jury members are pretty out there as well.John becomes one with this community as he must do whatever it takes to get this story. So meet him at the cemetery....at Midnight..in the Garden of Good and Evil!

Clint Eastwood directs this intriguing story that was based on John Brendt's book of the same name.(Which was based on actual events). Eastwood mixes the mysteriousness of these events, with the wonderful surroundings of Savannah, and adds the music of Johnny Mercer to bring us a rare gem. A film that will have you totally involved with all the characters. The cast also includes, Allison Eastwood, Geoffrey Lewis and Jack Thompson. "The Lady Chablis" plays "The Lady Chablis"! And..Uga V the Georgia bulldog actually plays his father Uga IV and does a darn good job!The soundtrack is fabulous, mostly Mercer songs, and the cinematography is beautiful.Eastwood once again displays his behind the camera talents.

A terrific mystery, wonderful characters, well directed, and one heck of a great soundtrack(enter B000002NJF in music search and see my review))...enjoy...Laurie

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil [Region 2]

Average customer rating:

Fun and mysterious
Savannah
one of the best movies of all time
southern hospitality
Very good product

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil [Region 2]
Starring: John Cusack , Kevin Spacey , Jack Thompson , Irma P. Hall , and Jude Law
Director: Clint Eastwood
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B00004RYJE

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Fun and mysterious.......2007-09-06

Savannah.......2007-06-27

Love this movie, slow but deep. Love visiting Savannah right after watching! Purchased, shipped, received fast!

one of the best movies of all time.......2007-05-13

The book is just as quirky as Savannah or is the Savannah as quirky as the book...an all time favorite that should be on every one's shelf...you never know when you might new it !!

southern hospitality.......2007-03-09

Very good product.......2007-02-14

The DVD is of very good quality. The jacket is in very good shape, also.

There were no scratches on the DVD and no smeared scenes, either.

I am pleased with the product.

Charlie Rose with Harrison Ford; Byron Wien, Thomas Galvin & Albert Fishlow; John Berendt (June 16, 1998)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Harrison Ford; Byron Wien, Thomas Galvin & Albert Fishlow; John Berendt (June 16, 1998)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

First, Harrison Ford looks back on his long career and discusses his latest movie, Six Days Seven Nights, in which he is stranded on a desert island with Anne Heche. Then, Byron Wien of Morgan Stanley, Thomas Galvin, investment officer for Donaldson, Lufkin & Jeanrette, and Albert Fishlow of the Council on Foreign Relations discuss the implications of the dip in the Asian markets for American investors and the stock market. Finally, John Berendt, author of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, discusses the book, which was published four years prior, its popularity, regionalist writing, and the American South.

Charlie Rose with Kevin Spacey; Atom Egoyan (January 9, 1998)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Kevin Spacey; Atom Egoyan (January 9, 1998)

Manufacturer: Charlie Rose
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

ASIN: B000IU34GO
Release Date: 2006-09-18

Description

First, actor Kevin Spacey. He is perhaps best known for his Oscar-winning performance as Verbal Kent in the 1995 sleeper hit The Usual Suspects. Since then he has worked on a wide range of films including Seven, A Time To Kill, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and LA Confidential which is receiving much critical acclaim and has already been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards. Then, a conversation with Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan. He talks to Charlie about his latest film, The Sweet Hereafter, which is an adaptation of the Russell Banks book about the effect a terrible school bus accident has on a rural town.

Charlie Rose with Abderrahim Foukara, Jim Hoagland & Michael Duffy; John Berendt (November 11, 2005)

Average customer rating:

Charlie Rose with Abderrahim Foukara, Jim Hoagland & Michael Duffy; John Berendt (November 11, 2005)

Manufacturer: "Charlie Rose, Inc."
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Description

This was an extraordinary week in news, from Baghdad to Washington to Paris to Damascus to Amman. Charlie discusses it with Abderrahim Foukara of Al-Jazeera, Jim Hoagland of "The Washington Post," and Michael Duffy of "Time" magazine. The show concludes with John Berendt, author of "The City of Falling Angels".

Average customer rating:

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00004VYN2

Average customer rating:

Fun and mysterious
Savannah
one of the best movies of all time
southern hospitality
Very good product

( M ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Mystery & Suspense | Genres | DVD | Video
Similar Items:

ASIN: B00004CXX7

Amazon.com essential video

Customer Reviews:

Fun and mysterious.......2007-09-06

Savannah.......2007-06-27

Love this movie, slow but deep. Love visiting Savannah right after watching! Purchased, shipped, received fast!

one of the best movies of all time.......2007-05-13

The book is just as quirky as Savannah or is the Savannah as quirky as the book...an all time favorite that should be on every one's shelf...you never know when you might new it !!

southern hospitality.......2007-03-09

Very good product.......2007-02-14

The DVD is of very good quality. The jacket is in very good shape, also.

There were no scratches on the DVD and no smeared scenes, either.

I am pleased with the product.

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