Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

1997
R
2h 35m

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

42K

YOUR RATING

John Cusack and Kevin Spacey in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)

Home Video Trailer from Warner Home Video

Play trailer0:31

1 Video

89 Photos

True Crime Crime Drama Mystery Thriller

A visiting city reporter's assignment suddenly revolves around the murder trial of a local millionaire, whom he befriends.A visiting city reporter's assignment suddenly revolves around the murder trial of a local millionaire, whom he befriends.A visiting city reporter's assignment suddenly revolves around the murder trial of a local millionaire, whom he befriends.

Director
- Clint Eastwood
Writers
- John Berendt
- John Lee Hancock
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.6/10

42K

YOUR RATING

Director
- Clint Eastwood
Writers
- John Berendt
- John Lee Hancock
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 win & 4 nominations total

Videos1

Trailer 0:31

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Photos89

+ 81

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
While filming took place in the actual Mercer house, production could not find an insurance company that would underwrite the project given the extensive value of the antiques. All of the items seen in the movie are therefore replicas with the originals stowed in storage during filming.

Goofs
When Chablis is at the cotillion she asks a woman at the table to watch her purse. After dancing, getting a drink, and leaving, she never retrieves her purse.

Quotes
The Lady Chablis: It's like my mom always said: "Two tears in a bucket, motherfuck it."
John Kelso: I'll have to remember that one.

Crazy credits
Closing disclaimer: This film is based upon John Berendt's book "MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL". Dialogue and certain events and characters contained in the film were created for the purposes of dramatization.

Alternate versions
The UK Region 2 multi-DVD box set titled "CLINT EASTWOOD 35 YEARS, 35 FILMS" (EAN 5051892017114) released on August 16, 2010 makes reference to the inclusion of a Director's Cut. Eastwood has admitted to shooting a "love scene" between Kevin Spacey and Alison Eastwood and then cutting it from this film and although not confirmed it is suspected this is included to make some or all of the Director's Cut. The latter information sourced from http://www.screenit.com/movies/1997/midnight_in_the_garden_of_good_&_evil.html

Connections
Featured in Eastwood on Eastwood (1997)

Soundtracks
That Old Black Magic
Music by Harold Arlen
Lyrics by Johnny Mercer
Sung by Kevin Spacey

User reviews250

Review

Featured review

8/10

Could have been better

It is 4 years since I first saw this movie (and commented on it before reading the book on which it is based). Having since read the book twice, I thought it time to look at the movie again. I can now see why some of those who had read the book are so dismissive of the movie.

I still think it is an interesting, well cast film - but it could have been done better - and that is a pity. There is of course no reason to expect a movie to be an exact replica of a book, but when it is such an excellent book it is a pity that Eastwood chose to alter things unnecessarily. Too much of his daughter (charming though she may be), too much Lady Chablis (fascinating ditto). These additions took up time and space where the actual story could have been fleshed out more.

In spite of these minor quibbles, I still think it is an interesting story - and to fans of the book I say - accept it for what it is - it is a fascinating film, entertaining and well worth watching.