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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Play trailer Poster for Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil R 1997 2h 35m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
53% Tomatometer 36 Reviews 65% Popcornmeter 25,000+ Ratings
In this adaptation of John Berendt's book, a young journalist, John Kelso (John Cusack), travels to Savannah, Ga., to cover the city's Christmas celebration amid a backdrop of eccentric characters. He becomes intrigued by a sultry singer, Mandy (Alison Eastwood), and engrossed by a murder trial. Wealthy society figure Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey) is accused of shooting his male lover, and the question is whether it was in self-defense as he claims.
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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

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Critics Consensus

Clint Eastwood's spare directorial style proves an ill fit for this Southern potboiler, which dutifully trudges through its mystery while remaining disinterested in the cultural flourishes that gave its source material its sense of intrigue.

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Critics Reviews

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David Ansen Newsweek Mar 5, 2018
The one crucial miscasting is Eastwood as director. He approaches the story like a tourist. Go to Full Review Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times Jan 1, 2000
2.5/4
Clint Eastwood's film is a determined attempt to be faithful to the book's spirit, but something ineffable is lost just by turning on the camera: Nothing we see can be as amazing as what we've imagined. Go to Full Review Mike Clark USA Today Jan 1, 2000
2/4
An oppressively long cinematic oddball. Go to Full Review Betsy Sherman The Improper Bostonian Aug 6, 2024
3/4
This thriller set in Savannah, Georgia, has enough juicy intrigue to recommend it. But it's got some fault-line flaws that director Clint Eastwood ignores to weave his local-color tapestry. Go to Full Review Dan DiNicola The Daily Gazette (Schenectady, NY) Jan 10, 2023
C
No dominant sense of style, no evocation of classic Southern charm or presence of a Gothic sensibility. This one meanders for more than two hours and we emerge tired and unfulfilled. Go to Full Review Cory Woodroof 615 Film Jun 9, 2022
Not quite among Eastwood’s best, but a very entertaining and well-made courtroom drama with some unexpected personality. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Xexla M @CriticalMahogany 6 days ago Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) As a devoted admirer of John Berendt’s book, I approached Clint Eastwood’s adaptation with affection and inevitably high expectations. The story is so extraordinary that, despite being rooted in real events, it often feels like fiction. One of the film’s greatest pleasures is the Empress of Savannah appearing as herself. As one of my favorite figures in the story, she is every bit as captivating as I imagined. Though the film takes liberties with its source material, adding and omitting certain elements, it largely preserves the spirit and essence of the original. Atmospheric and engaging, it is a respectable adaptation. Had I not read the book first, I suspect I would have enjoyed it even more. Unfortunately, Berendt’s novel sets an exceptionally high bar, and the film, while worthy, simply cannot compete with a book that is just that damn good. See more Robert P @Superbad Sep 8, 2026 This movie is a classic! Especially with the Drag Queen! See more Alex P @deadpizza_714 Jan 16, 2026 Top 10. Easily. The cinematography is beautiful and Kevin Spacey and John Cusack both make amazing fits for these roles. A bit long but I was intrigued the whole ride. See more Mark B. @CaptainSunshine Oct 7, 2025 A bit long but well done. Savannah looks beautiful. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 11, 2025 2 hours and 35 minutes is too long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more David Lee K @RT17066284 May 31, 2025 Despite a very promising cast and good source material, Clint Eastwood's film is more a case study in squandered potential. Perhaps it is sometimes beautiful to look at, but it's just too painfully boring to endure. See more Read all reviews
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

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Cast & Crew

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Clint Eastwood

Director

Kevin Spacey

Jim Williams

John Cusack

John Kelso

Jack Thompson

Sonny Seiler

The Lady Chablis

Chablis Deveau

Alison Eastwood

Mandy Nicholls

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Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In this adaptation of John Berendt's book, a young journalist, John Kelso (John Cusack), travels to Savannah, Ga., to cover the city's Christmas celebration amid a backdrop of eccentric characters. He becomes intrigued by a sultry singer, Mandy (Alison Eastwood), and engrossed by a murder trial. Wealthy society figure Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey) is accused of shooting his male lover, and the question is whether it was in self-defense as he claims.
Director
Clint Eastwood
Producer
Clint Eastwood, Arnold Stiefel
Screenwriter
John Lee Hancock
Production Co
Warner Bros., Silver Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 31, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$25.1M
Runtime
2h 35m
Sound Mix
Surround
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