Although based on a true story, it didn't exactly happen this way. A wealthy "upstanding" Savannah citizen kills someone in his home. Is it self defense or murder? This movie has everything: Comedy, sexual deviations (homosexuality, cross-dressing), eccentric characters, voodoo, and a Matlock-Perry Mason-style trial. The trial is well-staged and was not boring to me;The "surprise" ending where "poetic justice is served" is somewhat contrived. It's more of a how-done-it than a who-done it, as the defendant confesses to the magazine reporter what really happened. The intended "victim" almost gets shot but the Luger still has the safety on. Then he kills his assailant, anyway. Hints of possible incest and an illegitimate child? Blackmail? A real transsexual portrays "herself", hilariously. Two playfully haunting voodoo seances through both white and colored cemeteries, plus a modern-day black cotillion show the old and new city. Beautifully photographed in Savannah, Georgia, where it "happened". Wonderful songs by Johnny Mercer. Actually, There were 4 trials (he was acquitted) and it took its toll. The man died almost a decade later of pneumonia and a heart attack. Other objections make this from being a "10": What else is fictional or minutes too long, although introducing the characters makes for great fun. Also, the "F" word is used far too many times? Scene sealers: "Chablis" the Entertainer, the mascot bulldog and the pet pussycat. The funniest hospital scene since "9 to 5". Because of great direction by Clint Eastwood,the movie has a "sense-of-style" about it. Since I enjoyed the movie, I upgraded it from the "8" rating it probably deserves.

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.

Clint Eastwood directs this tale of murder, society and deceit set in Savannah. Wealthy socialite Jim Williams (Spacey) invites writer John Kelso (Cusack) to cover one of his highly esteemed parties at Christmas. However, complications arise when a man, an acquaintance of Williams' is shot following an argument over money. Kelso decides to stick around and write up the case, but is there more going on here than meets the eye? Guilty of overstuff, Eastwood's adaptation of the novel is well acted and directed, but several elements, most prominently a voodoo shaman (hence the story's title), go nowhere or add to the themes of power, relationships and prejudice. At two and half hours, it just feels like screenwriter John Lee Hancock didn't know what else to cut (apparently, the one trial of the film was four in reality), and so there are strands here that simply don't add to the main thrust of the narrative as we learn more about what really happened with Williams. The voodoo aspect is maybe 10% of the film, and is honestly only here because it explains the title, and an event that happens later in the film that has an alternate explanation.Still, those elements don't entirely eclipse a fairly engaging legal drama, giving you a decent lens into the investigation and methods of the trial, as well as a stellar performance from Spacey. He's alternately charming and smooth, a man you'd like to be around, yet you sense something's amiss and that's there more going on under the surface. Plus, the film has a good sense of humour about itself, be it with Williams or with Lady Chablis, a transgender performer who has ties to the victim and often plays around with Kelso, including a pretty fun bit in an ER.In the end 'Midnight' is in the mid tier of Eastwood's filmography: well made and entertaining, but bloated and maybe needed a rethink or different writer to tighten it up. Still, it's leagues better than 'J. Edgar' or some of his recent works.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (or code name: MITGOGAE – damn, even that acronym is too long) was one of those movies I wanted to like more, but still did a lot. It's an enormously interesting story with fantastic characters and it was one of those films that restored (some) of my faith in John Cusack.This movie should be noteworthy for several interesting characters, such as Cusack's John Kelso and definitely, Kevin Spacey's flamboyant Jim Williams. But, overall, the winner goes to The Lady Chablis. She was amazing. And her interactions between her and John were key to the film's success for me. Okay, not just those scenes, but certainly a huge highlight whenever I revisit this film.Another great aspect of MITGOGAE was the setting and cinematography. The John Kelso character is out of his element in this Deep South surrounding and you'd be lying if you don't get swooped up right along with him, exploring on your own the differences from your world and this one. I get just as mesmerized as he is with all that this film sets up in regards to characters, landscaping, the houses and, heck, even the town is a character.Further, the story, a film noir mystery with multiples of twists, is as exciting to us as the onion peals back as it is to John Kelso. It's a murder mystery with intrigue and intelligence. Spacey and his character Jim Williams are both flipping interesting and exciting, it's absolutely a joy to watch him from scene to scene as he's caught up in this.Basically, writer John Kelso gets a freelance 500-word assignment he thinks he was randomly assigned to, to cover the annual extravagant Jim Williams' Christmas Party. Bummed it's not that big of an article, one-time novelist John Kelso begins his reporting when a "self-defense" murder takes place. Intrigued, John expands his investigation and thinks there's more to this story and this town than meets the eye.He's right.While not perfect and has its moments of slow-down and a totally sad ending to me – see it, and you'll know why I was bummed per my words above, it's a movie that draws me back to (the location of) Savannah time and again.If you're a fan of Cusack, Spacey and colorful backdrops, this is the movie for you. Give it a chance, and you might be a fan for life."I've only been here three days and it's just a shooting, but give it time, okay. This place is fantastic. It's like Gone With the Wind on Mescalin. I know you're my agent. Listen to me, they walk imaginary pets here, Garland. On a fvcking leash. Alright? And they're all heavily armed and drunk. New York is boring!" – John Kelso.