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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
1997 155 min United States of America R 18+
★6.2
Mystery, Crime, Drama
Director: Clint Eastwood
🎭 Based on
«Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil»
byJohn Berendt
Trailers
EN
EN
Description
A visiting city reporter's assignment suddenly revolves around the murder trial of a local millionaire, whom he befriends.
Budget:
$35M
US Gross:
$25.11M
Worldwide:
$25.1M
Starring
John Cusack
Actor
Kevin Spacey
Actor
Jack Thompson
Actor
Awards
1 win & 4 nominations total
Key opinion
Clint Eastwood's adaptation of the famous novel is a polarizing atmospheric study that values the eccentric characterization of Savannah over a traditional crime narrative. While some viewers are captivated by its slow-burn, immersive tone and strong performances, others find the nearly three-hour runtime and meandering structure to be tedious and unfocused.
| Acting | Lady Chablis provides a standout, charismatic performance that serves as the emotional and stylistic centerpiece of the film. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography successfully captures a mystical, distinctively atmospheric, and immersive version of Savannah. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure is widely criticized for lacking a coherent focus, frequently shifting between satire, mystery, and courtroom drama without a clear unifying goal. | |
| Runtime | The nearly three-hour runtime splits audience opinion: some find it a rewarding, contemplative experience, while others perceive it as an exhausting, poorly edited slog. | |
| Direction | The direction is viewed by some as a bold, atmospheric experiment, while others feel Eastwood’s detached approach leaves the film feeling cold and emotionally inaccessible. |