Onlinewsma Absolutely Brilliant!

Lancoor A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Arianna Moses Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

a_chinn Director Robert Benton is a director who has my number. I've loved every film he's ever written or directed, from undeniable classics like "Bonnie & Cylde" to smaller films like "Bad Company" (the 1972 western, not the Chris Rock movie) or even imperfect misfires like his Hitchcock homage "Still of the Night" are still enjoyable. With "Twilight" (the throwback detective film, not the sparking vampire romance), Benton along with co-writer Richard Russo have made a love letter to detective films of of the 50s and 60s. Paul Newman plays a bagman type of character who takes care of dirty jobs for rich actor friend/employers, Susan Sarandon and Gene Hackman. The film opens with Newman taking Sarandon and Hackman's daughter, Reese Witherspoon, back from Mexico, unwillingly, where she's shacked up with a sleazy boyfriend, Liev Schreiber. From there, like many detective stories, it starts with a simple task of dropping off some blackmail money, but leads down a trail of murder, double crosses, and most interestingly the opening up of old wounds. The past looms large around all of the characters in this film, from Newman's ex-partner, Stockard Channing, to old cop buddy, James Garner (which is a bit like Harper and Jim Rockford teaming up, which is awesome!), to other supporting roles by Giancarlo Esposito, Margo Martindale, John Spencer, M. Emmet Walsh, Clint Howard, and Jack Wallace. Overall, I'm not sure this film will appeal to those less familiar with 50s and 60s detective films like "Kiss Me Deadly," "Harper" or "Marlow" but for those who are fans of these films, "Twilight" is an absolute treat.

runamokprods 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?).

kenjha Newman, in a role similar to "Harper," is a has-been private detective living with and helping out aging movie actors Hackman and Sarandon. The script is rather convoluted and ultimately less than satisfying. However, it is a pleasure to watch old pros like Newman, Hackman, and Garner, each about seventy at the time of this film. Comparatively, Sarandon and Channing are spry young things in their fifties. The impressive cast also features up-and-coming stars like Witherspoon and Schreiber. Benton, who co-wrote the script, creates a nice atmosphere, aided by one of Bernstein's last scores. Given such an assemblage of talent, the film is a disappointment.

blanche-2 Paul Newman, Susan Sarandon, Gene Hackman, Stockard Channing and James Garner star in "Twilight," a 1998 film directed by Robert Benton, who co-wrote the script. Newman plays Harry Ross, an ex-cop turned P.I. who is staying with friends, a movie star Catherine Ames (Sarandon) and her dying actor husband Jack (Hackman). At one time, he retrieved their 17-year-old daughter (Reese Witherspoon) from a tryst in Mexico.Catherine was married before, to an actor named Billy, who has long believed to have been lost at sea. There have always been rumblings, however, that Billy was murdered. When Jack asks Harry to deliver an envelope to a woman named Gloria Lamar, Harry suspects blackmail. He gets more than he bargained for."Twilight" has the noirish feel of a '40s film, right down to the Channing character being named Verna. The name Gloria Lamar is certainly an homage to the '40s as well. It also has three actors inextricably linked with PIs - Newman, Hackman, and Garner.With all of that, the low key "Twilight" is really style over substance. Its pace is lethargic, and the director seemed more interested in setting up striking images - such as Sarandon kneeling on the ground at her ranch, Newman watching Garner in a mirror, etc., than the actual story. The story lacks urgency.All of the acting is very good, with Newman at 73 still handsome, still sexy, and still able to play a tough guy.Worth seeing for the cast and atmosphere.