Hitchcock was once famously quoted as saying, "You need three things to make a good movie: a good script, a good script and a good script." This citation does not just suit Eve's Bayou; it defines it. Kasi Lemmons, who both wrote and directed the film, has made an unrepeatable tour DE force about memory & magic and the consequences that they may bring. The script is full of twists and turns, and given that its narrated in a totally distinct way, the more credit that should go to Lemmons. The film is excellently acted. Jurnee Smollet(Eve) and Debbi Morgan(Aunt Mozelle) paints the whole film with a multifaceted assortment of emotions; grief, anger, irony, whatever feeling or sensation that they display is done wonderfully, not just with talent but with versatility, too. Samuel L. Jackson, Lynn Whitfield, and Meagan Good provide fine supporting roles. The characters in the film are all well illustrated; each one suffers from different things, but the most admirable concept (character-wise, that is) is that it's not all a matter of good and bad.
Despite all odds, Kasi Lemmons' direction is simply superb, both fooling and disorienting the viewers with the diabolically clever story, and managing to skillfully execute the complex narrative (which at the same time is very neatly edited, too). Her taut, hawk-eyed direction is mainly what makes the film work.
Despite all odds, Kasi Lemmons' direction is simply superb, both fooling and disorienting the viewers with the diabolically clever story, and managing to skillfully execute the complex narrative (which at the same time is very neatly edited, too). Her taut, hawk-eyed direction is mainly what makes the film work.