Midnight Bayou, also known as Nora Roberts' Midnight Bayou, is a 2009 made-for-TV movie directed by Ralph Hemecker, which stars Jerry O'Connell, Lauren Stamile, and Faye Dunaway. The film is based on the 2001 Nora Roberts novel of the same name and is part of the Nora Roberts 2009 movie collection, which also includes Northern Lights, High Noon, and Tribute.[1] The film debuted on March 28, 2009, on Lifetime.
| Midnight Bayou | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Based on | Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts |
| Screenplay by | Stephen Tolkin |
| Directed by | Ralph Hemecker |
| Starring | Jerry O'Connell Lauren Stamile |
| Music by | Chris P. Bacon Stuart Michael Thomas |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Producer | Gideon Amir |
| Cinematography | Anghel Decca |
| Editor | Scott Richter |
| Running time | 91 minutes |
| Production company | Mandalay TV |
| Original release | |
| Network | Lifetime |
| Release | March 28, 2009 |
Plot
editThe film revolves around Harvard-educated lawyer Declan Fitzpatrick (O'Connell), who impulsively gives up his settled life to buy Manet Hall, a newly restored plantation manor near New Orleans, which he has always been drawn to.
Local legends claim that the house is haunted, and shortly after Declan moves in, he begins hearing voices and seeing things. Declan is also distracted by an undeniable attraction to Cajun local, Lena Simone. Lena was raised on the bayou by her grandmother Odette (Dunaway), and has her own deep connection with the manor.
While living in the house, Declan begins to have visions from a century past and details of events that took place in the mansion. With the help of Odette, Declan and Lena realize that they are inextricably linked with Manet Hall, and uncover a shocking secret that has been hidden there for more than 100 years.
Cast
edit- Jerry O'Connell as Declan Fitzpatrick
- Lauren Stamile as Lena Simone
- Faye Dunaway as Odette Simone, Lena's grandmother
- Isabella Hofmann as Lilibeth Simone, Lena's mother
- Alan Ritchson as Lucian Manet
- Ashley LeConte Campbell as Josephine Manet, Lucian's mother
- Alejandro Rose-Garcia as Julian Manet, Lucian's younger sister
- Bianca Malinowski as Abigail Manet, Lucian's younger brother (as Bianca Malino)
- Chris Lindsay as Remy
- Ciera Payton as Effie
Production
editThe film was executive produced by Stephanie Germain and Peter Guber, who also 'e.p.-ed' seven other Roberts films for Lifetime in 2007 and 2009.
Filming locations
editThe "manor" scenes were filmed at Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana. The major "city" scenes were in New Orleans, Louisiana. Even though the film depicts the two locations as not that far apart, in real life Vacherie and New Orleans are approximately 55 mi (89 km) apart.[2]
References
edit- ^ 2009 Nora Roberts Movies Archived August 6, 2009, at the Wayback Machine Official website of Nora Roberts
- ^ "Movies Filmed Here < About Us < Oak Alley Plantation". oakalleyplantation.com. Archived from the original on 2006-07-02.