Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Dir: Clint Eastwood
1997
****
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is one part true story and one part Savannah. Known for its colourful characters, Voodoo and distinct Gothic style, Savannah is a stunning backdrop to the film and a leading character in its own right. Given the subject matter, why did Clint Eastwood choose this film to direct? Because the book by John Berendt was Bestseller for 216 weeks I suspect, seeing as Homosexuals aren't always portrayed particularly positively in his other films. I digress, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a quirky murder thriller, full of intrigue, suspense and a cracking court scene but with that little extra that most thrillers just don't have. The performances are strong and the script is very clever. The inclusion of a real life character from the book was an interesting move and really worked, I can't see that happening today with most directors as I'm sure it would be seen as a distraction. It's a unique thriller, something of a rarity and a film you'll want to watch more than once.