Savannah (2013)

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Who was Ward Allen? That was a question I asked myself, reading the movie's cast and other credits. Based on a true story, uh! Oh well, it's worth a shot; I'll watch it. I did, and despite the script shortcomings, something I was easily able to get over, I discovered an interesting character and a story that reminded me why I enjoy movies with romanticism, not to be confused with romance.The perhaps foolishness of pure thoughts, idealism, that is common to most romantic life stories, fiction or non, as in this case here, makes for good viewing and feel good moments. Annette Haywood-Carter's 'Savannah' did evoke those feel good moments. The scenery, set in the Savannah River marshes was well utilized in the movie's cinematography; that alone was reason for me to watch as much as I could.The cast which includes such compelling names as Chiwetel Ejiofor, of '12 Years a Slave' fame, Sam Shepard and Hal Holbrook are another reason to consider 'Savannah'. Bradley Whitford plays Jack Cay, father of author John Eugene Cay Jr. who wrote the novel on which the movie is based. The main character is played by Jim Caviezel, who in this movie plays a loquacious intriguing character, atypical of Caviezel's past roles, but one he acquits himself of flawlessly. If you like Shakespearean soliloquy arguments and pleas uttered by lawyers in court as well as in bars, drinking kind, not legal, you'll appreciate the script's contributions in that respect.The secondary character of Christmas Moultrie, played by Ejifor, is as compelling as is the main one, but brings an altogether different element, that of a first generation freed slave, and complements well the rapport of the two friends. Tieing the Moultrie, Allen and Cay's stories all in one movie is where the script falls short; it may be too much to feature in one movie and so the novel's story and perspective may well not have been done justice. The more reason to read the novel, something I'm eager to do now. I've not said much about the relation of Lucy Stubbs, played by the beautiful Jaimie Alexander, and Ward Allen, but it is pivotal to the development of Allen's life story, hence the late mention here. I didn't think a longer review would have help convince you to see the movie. If you appreciate romanticism, such as the genre is, I recommend the movie.

"Savannah" is an entertaining film of fiction that is based partly on a book about a somewhat legendary character from the turn of the 20th century in Savannah, GA, and his lifelong friendship with a freed Black slave. Other reviewers have noted the problems with the shaky plot and script. But this film is very entertaining and a fun watch fit for the whole family. Two things that stand out in this film are worthy of praise. First is the scenery and cinematography along the marshes and backwaters of the Savannah River. Second is the acting. The entire cast gave top performances; but like other reviewers, I especially enjoyed Jim Caviezel's portrayal of the lead character, Ward Allen. If the real educated and sophisticated yet down-home Ward Allen was half as vibrant, witty and disarming as the character played by Caviezel, he was a most colorful character indeed.

This is based upon a true story.Ward Allen (Jim Caviezel) gives up the privileged life on a plantation in Savannah, GA to live free on the river so he can hunt ducks.We start off in 1954 where Christmas Moultrie (Chiwetel Ejiofor) - the last of the free slaves from the Moultrie plantation - tells of his relationship with Ward Allen decades before. Then we go to 1918 and see Ward Allen.We have an all-star cast with Hal Holbrook as Judge Harden; Sam Shepard as Mr. Stubbs who is the father of Lucy (Jaimie Alexander), who eventually marries Ward Allen; and Bradley Whitford as Jack Cay, a lawyer, who is the listener - and eventual writer of this story - to Christmas and his stories of Ward Allen.I suppose we are all wondering what there was about Ward Allen to have a movie made of his life so-to -speak and further…… why would he give up a life of privilege to roam the woods and the river just to hunt and shoot ducks? We must listen and believe, as true, the stories Christmas tells about his friend. And, you must come to know that this friendship was pure gold. However, this is quite sketchy. We have 3-stories and any one of which could have carried this movie, but it was decided to provide a little something of all three. It is difficult to incorporate everything especially when all three stories have a lot to say. We see Ward's relationship with his wife and this almost turned into a love story, but later that was abandoned; then we see his battles with new government rules and regulations regarding his disregarding them that got him to the courts many times (he didn't believe in quotas for the number of ducks killed or the shooting of a certain type of "protected" duck); then we have the relationship with Christmas and this is where the story should have been centered. It is with this angle that a great legend could have materialized. But, we get only bits and pieces here. Bummer. It was decided to tell all three stories, sketchy as they might be, because……..well, Ward Allen was "a hell of a man's man" and we do get this perspective from the movie. Maybe that was the point of all this. The acting all around is very good. The best and lighter moments in the movie involve Ward Allen in court with Judge Harden who has a propensity to overlook Allen's transgressions as we can clearly see that Judge Harden is most impressed with Ward Allen, who by the way was Oxford educated and spouted Shakespeare often. Throughout there are good lines that provide some chuckles. The cinematography is outstanding regarding the Savannah River background. The ending is somewhat confusing because the movie cannot tell us what really happened to Ward Allen or his wife after his wife was sent to a rest home. But, to answer the question why abandon the good life for a life of hunting ducks on the Savannah River in Ward Allen's words: The river belongs to us and we to it. It was the only place he felt really free and that was most important to him. (7/10)Violence: No. Sex: Not really, we see more of a make-out session with his wife. Nudity: No. Language: No.

Let me tell you one thing. Watching this movie will not be a waste of your time. This movie explores the friendship between a white man and a black man. It's a beautifully made movie with gorgeous settings, humorous lines(at times), splendid acting and overall a great theme. Although I do feel that the relationship between Ward and Lucy gets in the way of the friendship between Ward and Christmas. I think they should've focused on that friendship from A to Z because it feels as though the movie is too crowded. Not much development or exploration between Ward and Christmas. The relationship between Ward and Lucy on the other hand, I find it very cliché. The good girl falls for the bad guy. They get married, she becomes pregnant and something dramatic happens along the way. But overall, i enjoyed watching this movie. I'm sure you won't regret watching it. You won't be complaining and cursing about wasting your 1.5 hours.