Devil on my Heels

Author(s): Michael
Location: Oklahoma

"Devil On My Heels"

Directed by Taylor Hackford
Adapted by Akiva Goldsman
Produced by Reese Witherspoon and Denzel Washington
Distributed by 20th Century Fox

Main Cast

Evan Rachel Wood- Dove Alderman
Hunter Parrish- Chase
Loretta Devine- Delia
Larenz Tate- Gator
Ed Harris- Dad
John Glover- Travis
Harry J. Lennix- Gus

Tagline: "N/A"

Synopsis: Dove Alderman has a very privileged life. She wakes up every morning to the smell of freshly baked Cinnamon Rolls and bacon sizzling on the stove made by her loving house maid Delia. Her dad has his own orange grove in which she grew up in, playing with her now boyfriend Chase. Working in her Dad’s orange grove are migrant workers who include one of Dove’s best friends Gator and Delia’s deceased husband Gus. One of her Dad’s closest friends is Travis who is in charge of the migrant workers and runs their store.

All of the sudden fires start popping up all over of Dove’s hometown of Benevolence, Florida including the family barn. The town is convinced that it is the migrant workers who are starting the fires and this prompts the appearance of the KKK in Dove’s town.

While Dove is starting to expose the KKK drift that is going through the town she discovers that her father, Travis, and Chase are all attending the KKK meetings.

Along the way of exposing the group she will come across the truth to the murder of Delia’s husband Gus, and that everyone thinks that Gator has kidnapped her.

What the Press would say:

Devil On My Heels is based upon the novel written by Joyce MacDonald and the film is just as good if not better than the already classic young adult book. It tells the story of Dove Alderman, played by the always brilliant Evan Rachel Wood, who is trying to expose the racism going on in her hometown. The story while complete Oscar bait is absolutely compelling and perfectly directed, written, acted, and produced as well. Taylor Hackford directs his actors and the story to perfection and you can tell he was the perfect director to aim this film in the right direction. He crafts the film so well that I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and sobbing by the end. Evan Rachel Wood is absolutely superb in the role of Dove Alderman and brings depth to the role that wasn’t written in the already fantastic script. If there is any justice in this world, Wood’s performance will earn her an Academy Award. The supporting cast is incredible and I don’t have time to mention them all, but I’ll mention a few. Loretta Devine is first-rate as Delia the house-maid. She really brings the mother quality that is missing in Dove’s life and is really on key when she needs to be emotional. John Glover, who is mainly known from his television role on Smallville, is superior as the villain of the film Travis who is in charge of the migrant workers. He was made for the role and is unbelievably great in his role. Ed Harris who is one of the bigger names in the cast is just great in the role of Dove’s two-faced Dad and really deserves recognition that I’m afraid may not occur. The script is faultlessness and brings out the best in each of the actors. Overall the film is one of the best of the decade, full of great performances, direction, and written, it is way beyond deserving of the Best Picture Oscar. A+

FYC

Best Picture
Best Director- Taylor Hackford
Best Actress- Evan Rachel Wood
Best Supporting Actor- Ed Harris
Best Supporting Actor- John Glover
Best Supporting Actress- Loretta Devine
Best Adapted Screenplay
Best Editing
Best Costume Design
Best Art Direction