Read the book first. James Lee Burke's lyrical prose style is delicious (obviously, I'm a fan. You almost have to be to enjoy this movie), the story is haunting and (I think) somewhat universal, if a bit savage here and there. I have the book and the movie and return to them both often. There's something lush and mysterious about coastal Louisiana I find fascinating, though I probably wouldn't like to live there.

The DVD was excellent quality . If you are a fan of James Lee Burke and Dave Robichaux you probably won't be disappointed . While Alec Baldwin is not my favorite actor he did pick up some nuances that you would find in the book . I have read or listen to many of James Lee Burke's Dave Robichaux novels but did not read or listen to this one prior to seeing the movie . I'd say this is probably only for fans of James Lee Burke and Dave Robichaux although the movie could have stood on its own but probably would've been a little bit slow and most viewers would not quite get all of the nuances in this movie . So this movie is based on understanding the characters and not based on the adaptation of the book since I have not read the book .

From moment one to the ending credits, this film adaption of the James Lee Burke novel will have you breathing heavy.
It's Alec Baldwin fine tuned, razor sharp as former police detective Dave Robicheaux.
Exotic dancer Robin (Mary Stuart Masterson) serving up his past with a lot of sass.
His wife Annie (Kelly Lynch) executed, but who paid for the hit?
Bubba Rocque, (Eric Roberts) Robicheaux's boyhood chum now living large thanks to mob connections.
And Bubba's wife Claudette (Teri Hatcher) who has her own peculiar
twist on turn ons.
This is a great movie when the summer heat's just rolling all over you.
And Alec Baldwin's scenes with Eric Roberts are worth the price of the dvd alone.

I bought this for my Guy for his birthday, he had it in his cart, so I know he wanted it! It's not his birthday yet, so I don't know how it is, except that it got here as scheduled, and in perfect condition, which was important to me. So, I am very pleased with my order. I did ask him if he still wanted the video in his cart, and he said yes, so I believe I have a winner!

This is a really great movie that I had never heard of when I came across it one late night on a movie channel. I liked it so much I bought it. Having lived with soul crushing grief, I can tell you that it is not easy to approximate on screen. But Alec Baldwin does a fantastic job. He plays the role of recovering alcoholic (& recovering detective) so well, you forget you're watching Alec Baldwin. That's not easy to do. Eric Roberts and Teri Hatcher are also stand out performances. Mary Masterson and Kelly Lynch less so. This is a longer than most movie, but you don't really notice it. The soundtrack is pure heaven. Filmed in New Orleans and the surrounding area, it has the feel of the bayou and blues. I've heard that if you've read the book (I haven't) that you're not going to like this adaptation. Maybe so, but it's a damn fine action-thriller if you ask me.

Oh, the movie is NOT the book?
Well, duh!

I am convinced that the only way to satisfy some reviewers of movies that are based on books would be to simply film the actual book from front cover to back - really, the physical book covers and pages. I suppose the soundtrack would be just the book being read by a narrator.

And do those reviewers each think that the mental images they personally formed while reading the book are identical to the images formed by ANY other reader of the same book!?

I am sick of reading those Amazon customer's reviews whose only REAL negative criticism of a DVD movie is that it isn't the book. Please make them smart enough to distinguish the difference between various forms of media and the constraints imposed by each. And give them a little appreciation of artistic treatment while you are at it.

This is an excellent movie. I rate it 4.5 Stars.

Regards,
Ed

ABRIDGED audiobook WHY?? That is truly a bad decision especially as the movie is one of the worst movies ever made.
Will Patton makes the book, even abridged, a great listen but it could have been so much more with his narrative.

Celluloid, not pulp, fiction, but a blast nonetheless! Man, Alec Baldwin was pretty in his heyday and so intense (think A..B..C..)! Also, it was great seeing primo Eric Roberts in a real movie! But the real highlight was Teri Hatcher & her butterfly tattoo...WICKED ! ! ! Oh, and pre-Katrina Crescent City...