A northern journalist (John Cusack) is enlisted to cover the annual party of a Savannah debutante (Kevin Spacey) when his errand boy and reputed lover (Jude Law) lashes out as the eccentric millionaire and later winds up dead. Quickly befriending his host, the reporter becomes central to the murder case and meets several unconventional types during his belated stay in the ghostly city. Clint Eastwood's filmization of John Berendt's novel is dull and overlong, with its murder mystery storyline and subsequent courtroom sequences playing second fiddle to atmosphere and Southern flavor (which are very well handled). Spacey's performance is colorful as are several supporting roles.
** 1/2 out of ****
