In the Electirc Mist

    Sharp dialogue and Tommy Lee Jones's trademark intensity make this tale of redemption amid an atmosphere of Cajun characters and dead confederate souls negotiating the bayou a rewarding experience of 102 minutes of time well spent. Tommy Lee Jones, as detective Dave Robicheaux, is one of twenty of the best actors working today, and in small budget pictures such as "In the Electric Mist," he works every scene (I actually believe he was in every scene) hard as if the film depended on it.

    Because of his slavish devotion to his craft, the film works. Because the dialogue is pure Cajun (redneck of French decent) and clever, I really enjoyed this film. I love the mucky ambiance of the bayou and that has lived and died in its midst, and it certainly has its own part to play, as if it is not only the stage for this play, but it's supreme star. Ever more rotund John Goodman plays, with dire malevolence, local hood "Baby Feet" Balboni, who finances a Civil War period film. Director Bertrand Tavernier uses the production as a back-lot subplot generator, where Peters Sarsgaard, Kelly MacDonald and veteran character actor Ned Beatty find their way into the film.

    The film also stars Blues Legend Buddy Guy as local picker Hogman Patin and former The Band drummer Levon Helm as Texas native General John Bell Hood, who serves as the visible ethereal conscience of Detective Robicheaux. I could almost here the melodic strains of the "The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down." Good Film.

    Rated R. Released straight to DVD March 3, 2009.