Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Information

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a 1997 American drama film directed by Clint Eastwood, and an adaptation of the book of the same name which was based on real-life events that took place in Savannah, Georgia in the 1980s. The film features Kevin Spacey as Jim Williams and John Cusack as John Kelso.

Several changes were made from the book. Many of the more colorful characters were eliminated or made into composite characters. The reporter, played by John Cusack, was based upon Berendt, but was given a love interest not featured in the book, played by Eastwood's daughter Alison Eastwood. The multiple Williams trials were combined into one on-screen trial. Jim Williams' real life attorney Sonny Seiler appeared in the movie in the role of Judge White, the presiding judge at the trial.

Advertising for the film became a source of controversy when Warner Bros. used elements of Jack Leigh's famous photograph in its movie posters without his permission.

Cast

Kevin Spacey as Jim Williams
John Cusack as John Kelso
Jack Thompson as Sonny Seiler
Irma P. Hall as Minerva
Jude Law as Billy Hanson
Alison Eastwood as Mandy Nicholls
Paul Hipp as Joe Odom
The Lady Chablis as Chablis Deveau
Kim Hunter as Betty Harty
Geoffrey Lewis as Luther Driggers
Bob Gunton as Finley Largent
Richard Herd as Henry Skerridge
Leon Rippy as Detective Boone
Michael Faber as Diner Cook #2 (Uncredited)

Production

Filming started in spring 1997, and was shot in Savannah, Georgia. The film featured a cameo by Uga V, the English bulldog live mascot of the University of Georgia, playing his father, Uga IV. The Uga mascots live in Savannah between football games.

Reception

Reviews of the film were mixed, with a score of 47% on Rotten Tomatoes. Casting in the film was praised, however, for Spacey's likeness to Williams. The film's box office performance was ultimately disappointing.

Spacey won the best supporting actor award from the Society of Texas Film Critics.

Soundtrack

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Integral to the film was the soundtrack which was released in 1997. It is dedicated to the music of Johnny Mercer, a Savannah native. The CD includes versions of songs heard in the film.