Eve's Bayou

Name: Eve's Bayou
Genre: Drama
Released: November 7, 1997
Duration: 109 min
Rating: 78
Cast: Jurnee Smollett, Samuel L. Jackson

1997

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 21 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Ratings

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7.0

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7.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Ratings

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Eve's Bayou

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Movie Details & Credits

Trimark Pictures | Release Date: November 7, 1997 | R

Starring: Jurnee Smollett, Samuel L. Jackson

Summary: After a daughter witnesses her father having an affair, she begins a chain reaction that could tear her family apart.

Director: Kasi Lemmons

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 109 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

All of these moments unfold in a film of astonishing maturity and confidence; Eve's Bayou, one of the very best films of the year, is the debut of its writer and director, Kasi Lemmons. Read full review

Lisa Schwarzbaum

But the notable accomplishment of actress-writer Kasi Lemmons ("The Silence of the Lambs") in her feature directorial debut is in creating a landscape quite beautiful and entirely her own -- a fluid, feminine, African-American, Southern gothic narrative that covers a tremendous amount of emotional territory with the lightest and most graceful of steps. Read full review

Stephen Holden

Louisiana's delta country has never looked more darkly, lusciously sensual than it does in Eve's Bayou, a Southern gothic soap opera, written and directed by Kasi Lemmons, that transcends the genre through the sheer rumbling force of its characters' passions. Read full review

Stephen Hunter

First and best, it's got a rip-roaring story. It sweeps you along, borne effortlessly by believable if flawed characters, as it flows toward the inevitable tragedy. But it's also got a heart: It watches as a child harsh of judgment learns that judgment is too easy a posture for the world, and it's best to love with compassion. [07Nov1997 Pg G.01]

James Berardinelli

Rather than perpetuating racial stereotypes, Eve's Bayou defies them, creating several well-rounded characters and placing them in a deceptively complex story that builds to a forceful conclusion. Read full review

Mike Clark

Indeed, Eve's milieu is fresh and specific enough to make even Jackson subordinate to Kasi Lemmons, the writer (and sometimes actress) who dreamed up this story for her directorial debut. [07Nov1997 Pg08.D]

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

She's an adventurous, occasionally reckless filmmaker who deploys a full arsenal of cinematic flourishes, but Lemmons' lack of restraint gets in the way of her storytelling. Read full review

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User Reviews

KennedyB.

Jun 6, 2006

Eve's Bayou received no Oscar nominations, yet it is one of the finest motion pictures of 1997 -- a fully realized production from the screenplay and direction to the acting and cinematography.
[***SPOILERS***] It depicts a prosperous black family in early '60s Louisiana. The Eve's Bayou received no Oscar nominations, yet it is one of the finest motion pictures of 1997 -- a fully realized production from the screenplay and direction to the acting and cinematography.
[***SPOILERS***] It depicts a prosperous black family in early '60s Louisiana. The father and husband (Samuel L. Jackson) is a physician who philanders yet dearly loves his children. When a wedge of suspicion comes between them, events proceed toward a tragedy that may even have supernatural implications. This is one of the few black films in recent memory without a whiff of racism in the air. In part, that's because the world it depicts is wholly black, while the situations are timeless and universal. The cast is superb, from Jackson as the life-loving and sometimes misunderstood patriarch to Lynn Whitfield as his fearful wife and Meagan Good as his willful eldest daughter. The point-of-view character is Eve, the youngest daughter, played with heartbreaking fervor by Jurnee Smollett. Also strong in support is Debbi Morgan, as Jackson's sister. But the most credit should go to Kasi Lemmons, a relatively unknown actress who shows a rare artistry in her writing and directing debut. Trust us: She makes Good Will Hunting's Ben Affleck and Matt Damon look like amateurs -- and they were Oscar-nominated.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

Lakendrea

Oct 17, 2006

The best black family representation!!

0 of 1 users found this helpful

LanaS.

Oct 13, 2008

Well crafted, yet overlooked, film with an amazing ensemble cast.

0 of 1 users found this helpful

BrianI.

Feb 2, 2009

Kudos to Kasi Lemmons, as she has created one of the finest African-American films of all time. Although this film features an all black cast, this is a universal story. The screenplay and direction were spectacular, and the acting was first-rate. We NEED more African-American films as Kudos to Kasi Lemmons, as she has created one of the finest African-American films of all time. Although this film features an all black cast, this is a universal story. The screenplay and direction were spectacular, and the acting was first-rate. We NEED more African-American films as complex and well-made as this feature.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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15	#15 Best Movie of 1997
81	#81 Most Discussed Movie of 1997
92	#92 Most Shared Movie of 1997