MovieChat Forums > Twilight (1998) Discussion > So much better than I remembered.

So much better than I remembered.


I can't believe I saw this in the theatre and didn't think much of it at the time. It's an excellent film with a stellar cast - imbued with so much that made the classic noirs so great. Robert Benton clearly specializes in nostalgic filmmaking.

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[deleted]

I didn't get that impression. The cast felt horribly underused in this title, considering the talents of acting heavyweights Newman and Hackman.

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The plot is the movie's weakness - although appropriately convoluted and leading back to the past, to crimes committed a long time ago as customary to any self respecting noir, it's all too old hat and lacks any real suspense or an element of surprise. Where it delivers is the atmosphere - a thick cloud of world weariness, dreamy melancholia and a smokey air of resignation; it's a tone that's sustained fairly well throughout (the exception being the inexplicable decision to give Newman a comic-relief sidekick in the shape of Giancarlo Esposito - their scenes together really break the spell). Likewise, the hard-boiled dialogue plus Newman's voiceover are just about witty enough to remind of the verbal jollies classic noir had to offer. And then there's the all-star geezer cast that's a delight in its own right - Newman, Hackman, Garner, Sarandon and even Emmet Walsh all bring a compelling, effortless and a special flavour to the proceedings. It's all very retro and very nostalgic, but the vibes feel just about right (the film it reminds of the most would be the 1975 Farewell, My Lovely which similarly aimed no higher than to replicate the old days, but did so agreeably enough).



"facts are stupid things" Ronald Reagan

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