Review of Ghosts of Mississippi (1996) by Alison O — 06 Jul 2004
Best in Show: Alec Baldwin.
One for the future: William H. Macy (character actor extraordinaire).
Stand-out scene: Courtroom climax.
Brainer or no-brainer: Brainer.
Stands up to one viewing or repeated?: Repeated.
DVD commentary any good?: n/a.
Like its sister-movie Mississippi Burning, this is based on a true story. In 1963 Civil Rights campaigner Medgar Evers was gunned down in cold blood in his driveway in front of his wife and three young children. Thirty years later D.A. Bobby DeLaughter (Alec Baldwin) is appointed to prosecute Klansman Bryon De La Beckwith for the murder by Evers' widow Myrlie Evers. The first two trials saw Beckwith acquitted by a hung jury and Myrlie hopes that in the more inclusive nineties justice will be seen to be done. As a courtroom drama this is familiar stuff but director Rob Reiner infuses enough comic relief and twists and turns to make this a fascinating and compelling movie. Solid characterisation is often the key to a movie that lingers in the memory and Reiner has assembled an accomplished cast to do the material justice; Virginia Madsen, William H. Macy and especially James Woods who brings seedy menace to the character of 'Delay' Beckwith. Members of the Evers family and participants in the trial appear as themselves, adding to the authenticity of the film. Though-provoking and just the right side of over-earnest this is a film worth watching.
This review of Ghosts of Mississippi (1996) was written by Alison O on 06 Jul 2004.
Ghosts of Mississippi has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
