Crazy in Alabama (1999)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Antonio Banderas

Writers (WGA):

Mark Childress (novel)
Mark Childress (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 October 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Comedy

Tagline:

Sometimes you have to lose your mind to find your freedom

Plot:

An abused wife heads to California to become a movie star while her nephew back in Alabama has to deal with a racially-motivated murder involving a corrupt sheriff.

Plot Keywords:

Alabama | Hollywood | Star | Murder | Abusive Husband

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Melanie Griffith	...	Lucille Vinson
David Morse	...	Dove Bullis
Lucas Black	...	Peter Joseph 'Peejoe' Bullis
Cathy Moriarty	...	Earlene Bullis
Meat Loaf	...	Sheriff John Doggett (as Meat Loaf Aday)
Rod Steiger	...	Judge Louis Mead
Richard Schiff	...	Norman the Chauffeur
John Beasley	...	Nehemiah Jackson
Robert Wagner	...	Harry Hall
Noah Emmerich	...	Sheriff Raymond
Sandra Seacat	...	Meemaw
Paul Ben-Victor	...	D.A. Mackie (as Paul Ben Victor)
Brad Beyer	...	Jack
Fannie Flagg	...	Sally the Waitress
Elizabeth Perkins	...	Joan Blake

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some violence, thematic material, language and a scene of sensuality.

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Germany:12 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | France:U | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Peru:14 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/12 | Finland:K-8

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Green Moon Productions

Trivia:

Two of Lucille's children are played by Melanie Griffith's real-life children: Dakota Johnson and Stella Banderas.

Quotes:

Peejoe: Life and death are only temporary, but freedom goes on forever.

Movie Connections:

Features "Bewitched: It Takes One to Know One (#1.11)" (1964)

Soundtrack:

Bewitched

a masterful overlooked achievement

I had seen the trailers several times for this movie before running across it in the video store looking through the titles for something I had not seen. After seeing it, I wondered why I had not heard more of it. The trailers did not give away anything about this wonderfully written script. Antonio Banderas did a great job in direction, but Lucas Black stole the show with his acting. After thinking he was masterful in "Sling Blade," it was great seeing him get another role to show off his talents. Steiger was perfect for the role, although anyone could have played the Robert Wagner role. However, seeing such big stars playing cameos, should tell you that the script was a great read. I don't want to give you any insight into the story line, because it is so well interwoven that it has to be seen to understand. It gets nicely tied up in the end from a small statement from Lucas Black. Melody Griffith has not always been a favorite of mine, mostly because she does always pick roles that she fits, but in this one, I cannot imagine anyone else fitting the role. She did an excellent job. I say that, because there were parts where I forgot it was her, and got caught up in the actual character she was playing.

This is one that is definitely worth a look. The overtones of the era are played nicely and figure greatly in the story line. Why it was overlooked when the big awards came out, I have no idea. This one should have won something. It is that good.