If you have read Berendt's novel before seeing this film, you may be disappointed. It is extremely difficult to portray the book's most intricate and interesting characters in a mere two hours, and it definitely shows in Clint Eastwood's adaptation of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.
One of Eastwood's foibles were casting his daughter as fiancee to Joe Odom (a great character in the book). A romance between her the fictitious writer Kelso (John Cusack) is a ridiculous addition to the film. What would have been best was to have Berendt play himself in the movie, despite the fact that Cusack does a good job with Kelso. The best part of the novel is the sexual tension between the gay Berendt and the murderous antiques dealer, Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey) and it is missed from the film.
Also, there is Lady Chablis overkill. Lady Chablis was merely a supporting character in the book. To inflate her role in this way merely because she was playing herself is pure foolishness and vanity. It is sad that the real sexual relationships in the book are overshadowed by silly comic relief from the drag queen Chablis. It just goes to show how uncomfortable Hollywood is with serious gay characters and how funny cross-dressers are the only accepted queer roles.
Good points about the film? Kevin Spacey, as usual, puts his all into his role as Jim Williams and the Savannah cinematography is superb. Other than that, the film tends to drag and the performances and the ending are not particularly interesting. Do yourself a favor and rent the movie before you read the book. Or even better, (unless you're a big Spacey or Cusack fan) just read Berendt's charming piece of nonfiction.
One of Eastwood's foibles were casting his daughter as fiancee to Joe Odom (a great character in the book). A romance between her the fictitious writer Kelso (John Cusack) is a ridiculous addition to the film. What would have been best was to have Berendt play himself in the movie, despite the fact that Cusack does a good job with Kelso. The best part of the novel is the sexual tension between the gay Berendt and the murderous antiques dealer, Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey) and it is missed from the film.
Also, there is Lady Chablis overkill. Lady Chablis was merely a supporting character in the book. To inflate her role in this way merely because she was playing herself is pure foolishness and vanity. It is sad that the real sexual relationships in the book are overshadowed by silly comic relief from the drag queen Chablis. It just goes to show how uncomfortable Hollywood is with serious gay characters and how funny cross-dressers are the only accepted queer roles.
Good points about the film? Kevin Spacey, as usual, puts his all into his role as Jim Williams and the Savannah cinematography is superb. Other than that, the film tends to drag and the performances and the ending are not particularly interesting. Do yourself a favor and rent the movie before you read the book. Or even better, (unless you're a big Spacey or Cusack fan) just read Berendt's charming piece of nonfiction.