Savannah

Although not yet in general release, saw this one on August 1, 2013
Actor Jim Caviezel was the name that grabbed my attention and convinced me to pay to watch this movie when it appeared in the on demand menu of my television. I was pleasantly surprised to see that Sam Shepard and Hal Holbrook also had roles in this film. I viewed it on August 1 , 2013 even though I wasn't expecting it to be available yet.

The film, based on true events, focuses on the true story of Ward Allen, a highly educated man who turned his back on conventional life - and his inheritance - to live freely on the Savannah River, hunting ducks and avoiding many of the "rules" of so-called polite society. He is accompanied by his long time friend, Christmas Moultrie (Chiwetel Ejiofor).

Ward isn't afraid to offend those who try to get in his way, from government officials to the elite who think that duck hunting is a light diversion.His honest and open manner attracts the attention of a society woman, Lucy (Jaimie Alexander). She is equally out-spoken, somewhat...
Quite Sad
The premise of this movie, in my opinion, is that utopias never last. Ward Allen was in his own utopia in the early years of the century as a hunter of ducks for market in Savannah, Georgia. Although he was Oxford educated from a family of means, he chose to live totally opposite the values of the rich. This movie is based on the true story of his life. His two close companions who helped fell and collect these ducks were a freed slave named Christmas, who lived to be 95, and a beautiful chocolate retriever named Rock. The movie was beautifully shot in Savannah, Georgia, with Jim Caviezel as Ward. He put his heart into the project with a well done portrayal.

The love developing between a privileged woman named Lucy and Ward seemed to be rushed. You see them making love on a hardwood floor (wow!), then quickly proceeding to be married. Lucy is then mortified to see her husband drunk either on a horse or in a bar (he loved whiskey). Check out how he sweet talks her to letting...
3 and 1/2 stars if I could.
I very much enjoyed seeing Jim Caviezels character... emoting! He was really wonderful in this. I absolutely loved him doing this character. Someone else wrote that Caviezel and Alexander did not have good chemistry. Just because there was not a gratuitous sex scene with buns bouncing up and down, does not mean that there was not chemistry. I was able to get a very clear understanding of their love and passion for each other and I thought the actors had fantastic chemistry, particularly in the intimate scenes.
It was BEAUTIFULLY filmed. Cinematography captured the essence of the outdoor scenes. I could almost smell the marshes and feel the humid breeze.
I would recommend this movie. It definitely was not boring. Yet, it was not so heart wrenching that I couldn't sleep later. All in all, a very enjoyable use of my Sunday afternoon.
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