Nicole Kidman sashays through the thing in a state of near-orgasm. Cusack has never been sleazier

The second strand has Jacks elder brother Ward (Matthew McConaughey) investigating whether van Wetter is truly guilty of killing the local sheriff.

The third subplot concerns racial tension.

The whole story is narrated, often indistinctly, by the Jansens black maid Anita Chester (Macy Gray), and light relief comes in the form of a prissy, black English writer (David Oyelowo) who comes to the South to help Ward and doesnt like what he finds.

The tale is set in 1969 Florida, and its presented in salacious, tawdry detail.

What are its attractions? Well, Mr Efron spends much of his time panting in his underpants.

Ms Kidman sashays through the thing in a state of near-orgasm. Cusack has never been sleazier.

If youve ever wanted to see the intestines spill out of an alligator, this is the movie for you.

The film has arresting moments, but theyre wasted thanks to poor story-telling and terrible pacing. Its impossible to empathise with any of these characters, and nothing about the procedure of proving the innocence of a convicted murderer rings true.

Too much of the dialogue is swamped by sound effects or abysmal diction. Its difficult to know whats going on, and even harder to care.

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