Eve's Bayou

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Eve's Bayou is a 1997 drama film written and directed by Kasi Lemmons who made her directorial debut with this feature. Samuel L. Jackson not only starred as Eve's father in the film, but was also a producer. Jurnee Smollett played "Eve" with Lynn Whitfield as her mother. The film was rated R by the MPAA.

Tagline: The secrets that hold us together can also tear us apart.

Plot

Eve (Jurnee Smollett) is the youngest daughter of one of Louisiana's most sophisticated and prosperous families. Her father Louis (Samuel L. Jackson), is the town's highly respected doctor, a man known for his ability to "fix" things--everything except his own family problems and philandering lifestyle. Her mother Roz (Lynn Whitfield) is a stunning southern beauty with an affinity for the traditions of Creole heritage. But Eve is most like her Aunt Mozelle (Debbi Morgan)--impulsive, intuitive, a touch supernatural and possessing the need to know the truth about everything. Over one explosive summer, this young girl uncovers some of her family's most frightening hidden truths, and then tries to bind them together against the tide of tragedy. Insight uncovers some frightening truths about her family, and must bring them together to avert tragedy.

Reception and impact

The film received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with Roger Ebert naming it the top film of 1997. CNN's Paul Tatara, TIME, Entertainment Weekly, The Los Angeles Times, Variety (magazine), The New York Times, and The Washington Post also loudly praised the film and its performances. It was also nominated for seven NAACP Image Awards, although it did not win any. Debbi Morgan's performance as "Mozelle" would be her most honored role. The film is also noted for Jurnee Smollett's first success in film; she had been primarily a TV actress with Jack being her only previous film. Her performance received two awards and critical praise.

Cast

Jurnee Smollett as Eve Batiste
Meagan Good as Cisely Batiste
Samuel L. Jackson as Louis Batiste
Lynn Whitfield as Roz Batiste
Debbi Morgan as Mozelle Batiste Delacroix
Jake Smollett as Poe Batiste
Ethel Ayler as Gran Mere
Diahann Carroll as Elzora
Vondie Curtis-Hall as Julian Grayraven
Roger Guenveur Smith as Lenny Mereaux
Lisa Nicole Carson as Matty Mereaux
Branford Marsalis as Harry
Afonda Colbert as Henrietta
Lola Dalferes as Lynette
Marcus Lyle Brown as Hosea

Awards

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards

BFCA Critics' Choice Award for Best Young Performer: Jurnee Smollett

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

Best Supporting Actress: Debbi Morgan

Independent Spirit Awards

Best First Feature: Producers Samuel L. Jackson and Caldecot Chubb, Director Kasi Lemmons
Best Supporting Female: Debbi Morgan

National Board of Review of Motion Pictures

Outstanding Directorial Debut: Kasi Lemmons (Now called "Best Directorial Debut")

San Diego Film Critics Society

Best Supporting Actress: Jurnee Smollett

Notes

External links

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Last updated on Thursday January 31, 2008 at 17:26:38 PST (GMT -0800)
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