Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil is a 1997 thriller directed by Clint Eastwood. The movie is based on the non-fiction book by John Berendt, which chronicled the events surrounding the murder trial of Jim Williams, a wealthy antiques dealer and restoration expert in Savannah, Georgia.
The protagonist of the story is John Kelso (played by John Cusack), a New York journalist who is sent to Savannah to cover a Christmas party hosted by Williams. Kelso becomes intrigued by the eccentric characters he meets in Savannah, including Williams' lover, a voodoo priestess named Minerva (played by Irma P. Hall), and a drag queen named Lady Chablis (played by herself).
However, Kelso's story takes a dark turn when Williams is accused of murdering one of his male lovers. As Kelso continues to investigate the case, he discovers that Williams may have had darker secrets and motives than anyone suspected.
Throughout the trial, Kelso becomes more and more involved in the lives of the people of Savannah, including Williams himself. As the trial ends, Kelso must come to terms with his own feelings about the people he has met, the events he has witnessed, and the fate of his new friend.
The movie is known for its stunning cinematography, atmospheric score, and strong performances by its cast, including Kevin Spacey as Jim Williams, Jude Law as his lover, and Jack Thompson as the prosecutor. Lady Chablis, who played herself in the movie, became a breakout star and continued to perform in Savannah for many years afterward.