Saturday, May 20, 2023
Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil
- Commentary: Under construction.
Yes, I've seen this movie, more than once. It's been awhile, though, so before I write more I want to see it again.
I'm in love with The Lady Chablis, may she be Resting (or Causing a High Scene) in Power. That's why I decided I need to own this movie. There's more I like about it, but every time I watch this, if I can (depending, of course, on how it's being delivered), I always rerun one or more of Lady Chablis' scenes. Especially the debutante party scene. What a Glorious Bitch she is! I know, she's dead, but do you really think death defeated The Grand Empress of Savannah? From what I hear, she's keeping it heavy and hilarious, wherever she is.
Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role Actor Role John Cusack John Kelso Kevin Spacey Jim Wiliams Jack Thompson Sonny Seiler Irma P. Hall Minerva Jude Law Billy Hanson Alison Eastwood Mandy Nichols Paul Hipp Joe Odom The Lady Chablis Chablis Deveau Kim Hunter Betty Harty Geoffrey Lewis Luther Driggers Bob Gunton Finley Largent Richard Herd Henry Skerridge Leon Rippy Detective Boone Sonny Seiler Judge Samuel L. White Dorothy Loudon Serena Dawes Patrika Darbo Sara Warren
Update 05/23/23: I finally (re-)watched this film last night and was reminded that the only thing I really like about this movie is The Lady Chablis. Otherwise, the structure of the film is feckless. The compilation of the individuals' stories has none of the energy or locational savvy of the book. The actors, while all good and some excellent, have real trouble rising above the disjointedness of the film craft and, truly, only one of them is capable of doing so, Jack Thompson who plays Sonny Seiler. Watching the film is kind of like finding yourself at a party you wish you'd not attended but are having trouble leaving because every time you close in on the exit, someone distracts you. Still, the performance of The Lady Chablis makes the film worth owning.
Clint Eastwood made many excellent films before this production and has made many since. I guess every director is allowed at least one fail (usually, many more). And, granted, I remembered this film, prior to purchasing it, with a great deal of interest. Unfortunately, upon finishing it, I was left wondering how it was that Eastwood simply didn't seem to scrub and polish this film with his usual energy and genius. At least he included The Lady Chablis. I'm grateful for that.
Here is a bit of information on The Lady Chablis. For more, read her book Hiding My Candy, available in full at the immediately previous link.
Here's a link to the Wikipedia write-up of the film.
Release Date: 1997
Directed by Clint Eastwood.
Labels: bob-gunton, clint-eastwood, mystery3
