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Eve's Bayou

  • 19971997
  • RR
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Samuel L. Jackson, Debbi Morgan, and Lynn Whitfield in Eve's Bayou (1997)
Home Video Trailer from Trimark
Play trailer0:31
3 Videos
48 Photos
  • Drama

What did little Eve see--and how will it haunt her? Husband, father and womanizer Louis Batiste is the head of an affluent family, but it's the women who rule this gothic world of secrets, l... Read allWhat did little Eve see--and how will it haunt her? Husband, father and womanizer Louis Batiste is the head of an affluent family, but it's the women who rule this gothic world of secrets, lies and mystic forces.What did little Eve see--and how will it haunt her? Husband, father and womanizer Louis Batiste is the head of an affluent family, but it's the women who rule this gothic world of secrets, lies and mystic forces.

IMDb RATING
7.2/10
10K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Kasi Lemmons
  • Writer
    • Kasi Lemmons
  • Stars
    • Samuel L. Jackson
    • Jurnee Smollett
    • Meagan Good
Top credits
  • Director
    • Kasi Lemmons
  • Writer
    • Kasi Lemmons
  • Stars
    • Samuel L. Jackson
    • Jurnee Smollett
    • Meagan Good
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 225User reviews
    • 43Critic reviews
    • 78Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 12 wins & 17 nominations

    Videos3

    Eve's Bayou
    Trailer 0:31
    Eve's Bayou
    Essential Black Films of the 1990s
    Clip 1:14
    Essential Black Films of the 1990s
    A Salute to Women Directors
    Clip 5:09
    A Salute to Women Directors

    Photos48

    Samuel L. Jackson in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Kasi Lemmons in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Lynn Whitfield in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Jurnee Smollett in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Samuel L. Jackson in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Debbi Morgan in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Diahann Carroll in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Samuel L. Jackson and Jurnee Smollett in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Debbi Morgan and Lynn Whitfield in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Lynn Whitfield, Meagan Good, Jake Smollett, and Jurnee Smollett in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Diahann Carroll and Jurnee Smollett in Eve's Bayou (1997)
    Jurnee Smollett in Eve's Bayou (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Samuel L. Jackson
    Samuel L. Jackson
    • Louis Batisteas Louis Batiste
    Jurnee Smollett
    Jurnee Smollett
    • Eve Batisteas Eve Batiste
    Meagan Good
    Meagan Good
    • Cisely Batisteas Cisely Batiste
    Lynn Whitfield
    Lynn Whitfield
    • Roz Batisteas Roz Batiste
    Debbi Morgan
    Debbi Morgan
    • Mozelle Batiste Delacroixas Mozelle Batiste Delacroix
    Jake Smollett
    Jake Smollett
    • Poe Batisteas Poe Batiste
    Ethel Ayler
    Ethel Ayler
    • Gran Mereas Gran Mere
    Diahann Carroll
    Diahann Carroll
    • Elzoraas Elzora
    Vondie Curtis-Hall
    Vondie Curtis-Hall
    • Julian Grayravenas Julian Grayraven
    Roger Guenveur Smith
    Roger Guenveur Smith
    • Lenny Mereauxas Lenny Mereaux
    Lisa Nicole Carson
    Lisa Nicole Carson
    • Matty Mereauxas Matty Mereaux
    Branford Marsalis
    Branford Marsalis
    • Harryas Harry
    Afonda Colbert
    • Henriettaas Henrietta
    Lola Dalferes
    • Lynetteas Lynette
    Marcus Lyle Brown
    Marcus Lyle Brown
    • Hoseaas Hosea
    Alverta Perkins Dunigan
    • Paigeas Paige
    Ron Flagge
    • Vendoras Vendor
    Sharon K. London
    • Hilaryas Hilary
    • Director
      • Kasi Lemmons
    • Writer
      • Kasi Lemmons
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    The story is set in 1962 Louisiana. The Batiste family is headed by charming doctor Louis. Though he is married to beautiful Roz, he has a weakness for attractive female patients. One night Louis trysts with married and sexy Metty Mereaux, not knowing that he is observed by his youngest daughter Eve, who is there by accident. Eve can not forget the traumatic incident and shares a secret with older sister Cisely. Lies start to roll... —Anonymous
    • pajamas
    • f rated
    • national film registry
    • implied incest
    • daughter seduces father
    • 194 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • The secrets that hold us together can also tear us apart.
    • Genre
      • Drama
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated R for sexuality and language
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      According to writer and director Kasi Lemmons, her cut differed severely from the final cut released to theaters, which eliminated an entire major character from the movie.
    • Goofs
      The Batiste family is happy to learn that the boy who got hit by a bus was not one of the Batiste children. When Mrs Batiste tells Eve to go upstairs and tell her sister, Cisely, that they can all go outside, a boom mic is visible at the top of the frame.
    • Quotes

      Mozelle Batiste Delacroix: Life is filled with goodbyes, Eve, a million goodbyes, and it hurts every time. Sometimes, I feel like I've lost so much, I have to find new things to lose. All I know is, there must be a divine point to it all, and it's just over my head. That when we die, it will all come clear. And then we'll say, "So that was the damn point." And sometimes, I think there's no point at all, and maybe that's the point. All I know is most people's lives are a great disappointment to them and no one leaves this earth without feeling terrible pain. And if there is no divine explanation at the end of it all, well... that's sad.

    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Mad City/Bean/Starship Troopers/Eve's Bayou/The Wings of the Dove (1997)
    • Soundtracks
      A Child With The Blues
      Written by Curtis Mayfield

      Performed by Erykah Badu

    User reviews225

    Review
    Top review
    Memory is a selection of images, some elusive, others printed indelibly on the brain.
    This is director Kasi Lemmons' first film and she has entered the world of cinema with a very bold start. Eve's Bayou is a very passionate story about life and love with a family surrounded by dark secrets. Lemmons' has boldly introduced us to a world in which magic is obvious and characters are deeply developed. There isn't one actor in this film that you do not fully appreciate. Everyone in this film gives everything that they have to help create this hidden masterpiece. Roger Ebert named this film the best of 1997, and I agree whole-heartedly. What makes this film different from other films of this nature is that Lemmons keeps us grounded. We are constantly reminded of where we are and whom we are dealing with. There is not some outside element trying to sneak in and disrupt the peace; it is a completely internal movie that allows us to devote ourselves to this desperate family. She controls Jackson with the greatest of ease, and gives us one of the most powerful child performances ever. If I had the chance to give the Oscar to Jurnee Smollett for her role of Eve in this film, I would have gladly handed it to her. Her performance commanded the film. She was the strongest and most beautifully developed character in this film. Smollett was outstanding. I have never been so impressed with a child actor as I was with her in this film. Her eyes gave us all the drama that we needed. I never thought that I would witness acting in its purest form come from a child. For anything, this film is worth seeing just for the performance of Smollett. She literally steals the scenes from everyone, even Mr. Jackson.

    I mentioned earlier that I loved the fact that this film kept us grounded by continually showing us scenes from the bayou. It kept our minds focused on where we were and the environment that surrounded these troubled people. Amazingly, Lemmons has transformed this setting into more than just a place, she has given it life. Not only through our characters, but it also is the center of most of the magic that occurs. It is a very symbolic reference. A bayou is a creek or a secondary waterway that is a passageway to another larger body of water. In this film, Eve represents the bayou as she travels to her family, the larger body of water. Also, whenever Mozelle calls upon the 'spirits' her first sight is of the bayou. Lemmons may be saying that the bayou is more than just water, it is the center of everyone's universe in this town. Perhaps it has more meanings, but I really felt that Lemmons was using the bayou as more than just a place setting, it spoke to me more about the characters.

    Finally, I would like to add that coupled with the amazing acting, Lemmons gives some of the most memorable direction behind the camera. The scenes when Mozelle speaks about how she lost her second husband (the one that loved her the most) because her lover wanted her to himself was riveting. Told through the mirror, this was one of the most interesting ways to tell a flashback. Instead of using the classic 'black and white' or faded lines trick, Lemmons actually brought the scene to us. We witness it firsthand and this allows us to be impacted deeper. I felt the connection, and it worked.

    Overall, this was a gem. I wasn't expecting to see such a caliber of acting and direction as I did in this film. The cinematography was outstanding. Lemmons has an eye and a passion for this film, and it is apparent with every scene that she captures. The Batiste family engulfs all of your emotion. Lemmons takes innocent children and captures you within their world, giving you only brief moments to breathe. She shows us the power behind Jackson's voice and the ability he has to expand his career. This was a surprise for me, but a well enjoyed surprise. I suggest you check this film out when time permits. It is a rare find that you will probably see in the bargain bin at any local store. Pick it up and enjoy it. I do not think you will be disappointed.

    Grade: **** out of *****
    helpful•37
    3
    • film-critic
    • Oct 10, 2004

    FAQ5

    • Did Cisely kiss Louis or did Louis kiss Cisely?
    • Who were the three men walking through the fog while Mozelle and Eve were talking on the porch?
    • Did Eve really kill her father?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 7, 1997 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 仲夏夜玫瑰
    • Filming locations
      • Covington, Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Trimark Pictures
      • ChubbCo Film
      • Addis Wechsler Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $6,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $14,842,388
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,287,846
      • Nov 9, 1997
    • Gross worldwide
      • $14,842,388
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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