Retro Film Review: Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)

over 3 years ago (Edited)

(source:tmdb.org)

Great literature seldom leads to great films. What looks wonderful on paper is difficult to turn into something equally impressive on the screen. While it is possible to imagine unconventional books being turned into unconventional films, most likely outcome of such endeavour is good unconventional book being adapted into bad unconventional film. In 1997 this happened with Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, thriller-drama directed by Clint Eastwood.

The plot of the film is based on the best-selling non-fiction book by John Berendt. Protagonist is Berendt's alter ego, New York journalist John Kelso (played by John Cusack). He comes to Savannah to write an article for "Town and Country" magazine about lavish Christmas parties held by Jim Williams (played by Kevin Spacey), successful and refined art dealer who recently bought the oldest and most luxurious house in town. Before and during the party Kelso is not only impressed by Savannah's old architecture, but also with the wide variety of fascinating and bizarre characters. After Jim Williams, apparently in self-defence, kills his homosexual lover Billy Hanson (played by Jude Law), Kelso decides to stay in Savannah in order to follow trial and later use it for book. Along the way he is hired as part-time investigator by Sonny Seiler (played by Jack Thompson), Williams' eccentric defence attorney. During that investigation Kelso meets some of Hanson's bizarre acquaintances – transvestite Frank "Lady" Chablis (played by himself) and voodoo priestess Minerva (played by Irma P. Hall). Additional reason to stay in Savannah is his charming neighbour Mandy Nichols (played by Alison Eastwood).

Clint Eastwood had films with long running time in his filmography, but critics and audience usually didn't pay much attention. In case of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil many couldn't fail noticing serious problem with the pacing (some of the more malevolent critics even renamed this film into Millennium in the Garden of Good and Evil). In most likelihood, Eastwood, just like the book's author, fell in love with Savannah and simply didn't have heart to cut the long scenes depicting its colourful streets. The central plot of the film somehow got lost in that. Scriptwriter John Lee Hancock made another error with spicing the script with romantic subplot - the only good thing to come from that is opportunity to see some decent acting from Eastwood's daughter Alison.

Alison's partner John Cusack, on the other hand, is rather bland in his role. Perhaps this is due to his character being overshadowed by bizarre personalities played by some truly talented actors. Kevin Spacey is excellent in his role of elegant nouveau riche, while almost unrecognisable Jack Thompson steals the show as eccentric Southern attorney. Like in most Eastwood's film, great cinematography by Jack N. Green is followed by good music, but that isn't enough to make Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil anything more than watchable. Town and characters portrayed in this film are worthy of something better - perhaps documentary or television miniseries is more suitable.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on May 11th 2004)