A Stranger in the Kingdom

This film is a plodding, character-poor version of an exciting book. I was very disappointed in the lack of interest generated in the viewing of eccentric characters and situations. In the end, we don't care what happens to any of them. No excitement, no emotion. The murder scene, which could have been pivotal, is omitted and when the victim's clothing is discovered, it's an afterthought. I was expecting better.

The third in Jay Craven's series of film adaptations of Howard Frank Mosher novels (the others are 'High Water' (1991), 'Where the Rivers Flow North' (1993), and the upcoming 'Disappearances'.) By far Craven's darkest film to date, telling a story of murder and racism in a small 1950's Vermont town. A brilliantly executed piece of cinema which is at once both a compelling drama and a riveting whodunit, featuring top-drawer performances (particularly Rusty DeWees, Bill Raymond, and Ernie Hudson.), and an appropriately eerie score by the Horse Flies. Like all of Craven's films except for 'Rivers', it may be hard to find outside of Vermont, but well worth a rental if you do come across it.

Walter Andrews (Ernie Hudson) is hired over the phone to serve as a minister in Kingdom County, Vermont, 1952. He arrives at the town with his son Nathan (Sean Nelson, "Fresh") and people are surprised that he's a black man. As if the latent, sometimes explicit, racism weren't enough, Walter is accused of the murder of a pretty young woman, Claire (Jordan Bayne).

This is a dark, well made post-WWII drama adapted by Jay Craven and Don Bredes from a fact-based novel by Howard Frank Mosher. The good and discreet Ernie Hudson (mostly known as Warden Leo Glynn from HBO's "Oz"), Jordan Bayne's whimsical, Milla Jovovich-ish beauty and the inspired score by The Horse Flies stand out. Veteran Henry Gibson, Martin Sheen and his daughter Renee Estevez have small parts. My vote: 7/10.

A very good low budget movie based on a great novel. Has gotten very little play outside Vermont. If your a distributer you could do worse.