Twilight (1998)

Nice effects though.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

Blistering performances.

Don't waste your time on this movie - go and watch "Nobody's fool" instead. It's the same author Richard Russo, the same actor Poul Newman, and the same director Robert Benson. And with these the same ingredients - you get an awesome movie in "Nobody's fool" and also and of course read the world class book the movie "Nobody's fool" it made from .Richard Russo a Pulitzer Prize winning author co wrote the script (that was really the reason why I wanted to see Twilight in the first place). I like all the actors in Twilight, it's an all star dream team cast. Still Twilight (1998) an amazingly average movie.The only interesting thing about this Twilight (1998) - is that it makes you wonder - how can so many people that are so gifted get it so wrong? So much talent wasted.

Twilight (1998): Dir: Robert Benton / Cast: Paul Newman, Gene Hackman, James Garner, Susan Sarandon, Reese Witherspoon: Paul Newman plays a retired detective who tracks down an actor's daughter. Couple years later he is staying with the cancer burdened actor and his manipulating wife. Soon he is involved in a mystery of murder, blackmail and incidents of the past. Interesting setup has loopholes when factoring ages of particular characters. Director Robert Benton does a superb job. Principal actors are on target including Newman whose career is hindered after a gun shot wound. Now he ventures into territory that is forbidden and dangerous. Gene Hackman plays his friend with cancer who sets up the investigation by hiring Newman only to discover things that he wished he hadn't. Susan Sarandon plays the seductive wife who tempts Newman and toys with the mystery. James Garner also appears in the investigation and although the role isn't as broad as it should be, it is pivotal. Reese Witherspoon is featured as the teenager whom Newman is assigned to locate. Convincing her go go along results in a leg injury and a lot of cynicism. The purpose is to recapture the feeling of old film noir and it rightfully claims this through superb veteran actors who are well into their twilight years. Fine plot twists carry it into the limelight while the narrative heads for a dark tunnel. Score: 9 / 10

Twilight is a slow burn modern film noir. A more laid back version of LA Confidential. The first scenes feature a young Reese Witherspoon and Liev Schreiber in Mexico with Paul Newman that leaves Newman injured. We then go forward a few years.Harry Ross (Newman) is a down on his luck detective with an injury and not much money. He lives in California in the guest quarters of Witherspoon's wealthy parents who are his old friends and former film industry executives now in the twilight of their years. Jack (Gene Hackman) is dying of cancer and he and Ross pass time playing cards.Jack asks Harry to deliver a package in Los Angeles. When Harry arrives to deliver the package he encounters a shot man named who turns out to be a former detective. This begins a chain of events involving a past case that led to the disappearance of Catherine's (Susan Sarandon) ex- husband.Harry realises that his friends have been deceitful and manipulative of him. His old colleague Raymond (James Garner) tries to persuade Harry to get away from it all.The film is about immoral people who are wealthy and wish to stay ahead and use others for their own means. As a pot boiler its slow, even meandering as there are betrayals and double crosses. What sustains it is the acting and with the four leads and some rising stars you watch it for the actors and the depth they provide.

I found this story of an aging private eye (Paul Newman in yet another terrific late-career performance), and his aging friends, lovers and clients (Gene Hackman, Susan Sarandon, James Garner, all doing admirable work) touching, sweet, funny, sad, and an enjoyable noir mystery to boot. Its not that the plotting is that brilliant, or the story that novel, but this is really more about the characters than the mystery anyway. Its about aging and loss and trying to hold onto your pride and self-esteem in the face of the indignities later life. In all that it has much in common with Benton"s earlier, very good "Late Show", but for me this had even more depth and resonance (perhaps reflective of Benton"s own aging?).