Twilight

Modern Noir....With A Cast To Die For
This review refers to "Twilight" (VHS/Paramount)....

Paul Newman knows a thing or two about playing a private eye. Remember "Harper" and "The Drowning Pool"? In "Twilight", he's Harry Ross(funny it should be another "H" name, to add to his list), an on the wagon, ex-cop, turned ex-private eye. He's holed up at the home of an ailing Jack, and Catherine Ames, once bright and shining movie stars. The Ames', by the way, are Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon.

Harry has been doing odd jobs for the Ames', and he's about to handle the oddest. Jack asks Harry to deliver a package. Don't worry, he says, a simple task, no guns needed. Well, this simple task unleashes a web of 20 year old secrets and lies that could ruin lives and take a few in the process. And yes, a gun would come in real handy for Ross, who comes out of retirement to solve the case. And... who do you trust?... becomes the big question for him.

It's a real treat to see Newman in this quiet but...

Shades of Gray
Director Robert Benton has crafted a film reminiscent of the 1940's in this complex and character driven film with an ensemble cast of screen veterens and one future star in her first adult role. The mystery is engrossing and the performances are stellar as Benton shows how age and life experience sometimes shades the black and white of right and wrong to gray.

The story revolves around former P.I. Harry Ross (Paul Newman) attempting to do a favor for Jack Ames (Gene Hackman) that leads to blackmail and murder. The favor may involve Jack's beautiful wife Catherine Hayward (Susan Sarandon). A twenty year old murder comes into play as well as Harry slips back into a life he left behind when the Ames' spoiled little brat Mel (Reese Witherspoon) brought him some bad luck a few years prior on a case down in Mexico.

Newman is terrific as he reluctantly tries to fix things for everyone as the bodies pile up. It's a task that gets more difficult as he gets closer to the...

Super movie, overlooked and underrated! Gene Hackman
I can't believe how much people focus on Paul Newman in this movie. Gene Hackman is great. 70 year old actors are more capable than younger actors. Susan Sarandon looks wonderful... Stockard Channing has a great chemistry with Paul Newman. This movie will take you away to a place where loyalty still means something and people care about each other. James Gardner plays his part well. I don't like to reveal too much with a mystery, the other supporting characters are good. This is a gritty, true to life mystery. Reese Witherspoon was very fortunate to have this as one of her first movies, anyone with any sense would have taken their clothes off to work with this cast! She plays the spoiled daughter well. It compares to LA Confidential in my experience...

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