A young girl learns some difficult lessons about truth, love, and fidelity in this critically-acclaimed Southern gothic drama. Eve Batiste (Jurnee Smollett) is a ten-year-old girl whose father Louis (Samuel L. Jackson) is a successful and well-liked doctor in an African-American community in Louisiana. Louis is a good father and an excellent provider, but he also has a way of attracting the ladies, and he's not inclined to turn them away. One night, the Batistes hold a party, and Eve, her older
sister Cisely (Meagan Good), and their mother Roz (Lynn Whitfield) all notice that Louis is spending a great deal of time dancing with the same woman. Eve later spies her father and the woman in an embrace in the carriage house, though Louis unconvincingly claims that nothing untoward was happening. The evidence of Louis' infidelity takes a toll on the entire family: Cisely, who at age 14 is walking the middle-ground between being a girl and a woman, becomes sullen and confused about her new emotions, Roz takes out her frustrations on her loved ones, and Eve visits Elzora (Diahann Carroll), a voodoo priestess, looking for advice and possibly revenge. Meanwhile, Eve's Aunt Mozelle (Debbi Morgan), who claims to have psychic powers, arrives to stay with the family after the death of her third husband, though she isn't lonely for long after meeting the eccentric Julien Greyraven (Vondie Curtis-Hall). Eve's Bayou was the first project as writer-director for actress Kasi Lemmons; leading man Samuel L. Jackson also co-produced. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Subplots are woven stealthily into the story, taking the pressure off the central drama, allowing it to be affecting rather than melodramatic, and heightening the atmosphere of the lush Louisiana setting.
An intensely emotional drama that mixes elements of Southern Gothic with the kinds of characters and tensions that prevail in the plays of Southern writers like Tennessee Williams.
The film is given an almost dream-like quality by Vincent who washes everything in a sepia-type tone that adds to the effect of seeing an adult world of deceit and hurt through the eyes of a child.
Lemmons' focus on strong female characters, and her willingness to ignore accepted notions of "black filmmaking" are powerful assets, but one can't help wishing the film as a whole lived up to its initial promise.
Writer/director Kasi Lemmons shows sweet judgment here, doesn't caricature or demonise the errant father, and elicits a host of nuanced performances from women of all ages.
The melodramatic mysticism is as thick as the bayou moss, but Eve's Bayou manages to maintain a magical narrative about Louisiana southern backwater living that is intoxicating and engaging.
One of the Galas from the 1997 Toronto International Film Festival, and a Gala it is. Directed by Kasi Lemmons whose work's need to be explored further, along with this DVD came Dr Hugo, a short excellent film. By Eve's Bayou just short of 5 stars, Eve is a very young girl and we explore her young life and those around
her, Samuel Jackson (Her Dad) houses many secrets that are none to none by Eve. Also Eve has an Aunt who is a fortune teller, and Eve seeks the help of a Voodoo Lady. There is many secrets that tear Eve's family apart. All in all a great movie with a great cast. worth seeing and worth adding to any collection. 4 1/2 stars
April 13, 2009
Bruce Bruce
Super Reviewer
Kasi Lemmons masterpiece. Amy Vincent's cinematography is just down right beautiful and an all star cast proving real acting strength. It's not so much of the plot but the conflict within the characters. The film really takes you along a journey where I didn't know what was to be expected but everything comes along
perfectly. It's a great film. Highly recommended.
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