The Murder of Mary Phagan

Not a review but my experience with the actors. I was playing piano in the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel in Richmond VA, where cast and crew were staying. For two weeks, my solo audience, 5 nights a week, was Jack Lemmon. Walking around from time to time: Richard Jordan, Robert Prosky, Paul Dooley. And there was one guy who brought his black Labrador Retriever on location. This guy kept hanging all over Jack Lemmon, when Lemmon wasn't sitting in front of me eating a small pizza, reading a magazine. That guy turned out to be Kevin Spacey. He wasn't quite a big star yet, but as Lemmon was my favorite actor, and currently Spacey is my favorite actor, I wish I'd spoken to him. I never did bother Lemmon. We just said hellos and goodbyes, but I figured he didn't need me bugging him after a long day of shooting. Plus, as I know he was an amateur jazz pianist, I was flattered that he wanted to sit there every night, listening to me. What a fun life I've had. Just thought I'd share.

The movie seemed cool. My best friend's mother told us about Mary Phagan long time ago. There use to be a children's song about her, and her mom use to sing it to us as children. Not until tonight did she tell me her aunt was Mary's best friend. For years we thought the song was a made up story, so it was creepy knowing her aunt knew Mary. Back to my point, it was a good movie.

Wonderfully engrossing drama that is well acted and completely interesting. Is a little gem that by the look of the votes here, was missed by lots. That's a shame. If you ever come across it in the future, is worth a look. I gave it a 9.

This is one of the best mini-series I've seen in a long time. They get the story right and is acted out very well, esp. by Lemmon and Gallagher. It was also nice to see Kevin Spacey in one of his first roles. If you get a chance, watch this one. It will be worth it.

I saw this as a 4 hour movie on UK tv. As it was based on a true story I found it very interesting and most of the 4 hours seemed to go very quick - although some bits did seem to drag on. The acting is excellent in most places and it's fun to see big names back before they were famous (Macy, Gallagher and Spacey). William H Macy doesn't really do very much, Spacey hangs around and does well enough, Lemmon is great but Peter Gallagher does better than I've ever seen him be as the manager of the factory where the murder occurs.

All in all, a well acted story that manages to keep you interested but over one 4 hour sitting can be quite hard work at times.