I really didn't have a clue what this film was about, but when I saw Woody Harrelson as Harry Barber burning his eyebrow while lighting a cigarette in the preview, I had to see it. Harry Barber is a doofus that refuses to lie and ends up going to jail for two years. He gets out when testimony of a related case sets him free. He wants to leave Palmetto, but his girlfriend, Nina (Gina Gershon), keeps him there. He meets Rhea Malroux (Elisabeth Shue) and she asks him to be "the voice on the other end of the phone" for the fake kidnapping of Rhea's stepdaughter, Odette (Chloe Sevigny). Harry thinks it will be an easy way to make fiifty thousand dollars and get out of Palmetto, but he's actually the one being played. It's interesting to watch things unfold.
Shue is incredibly sexy and it's nice to have Gershon leave her clothes on for at least one movie. But Sevigny is amazing as Odette, the daughter of Rhea's dying elderly husband. She is playing a role that seems perfect for Alicia Silverstone, but Sevigny plays it about a million times better than Silverstone could. Her's a girl that could be one to watch.
Harrelson is hilarious at times as Barber, but the tone of the movie prevents him for reaching his comedic peak. The movie is at times too slow and seems like it really could have used about two more rewrites to tighten things up.
I was entertained so I can't say I hated the film, but it wasn't as good as it could've been. I give Palmetto a C.
