(1998)
3.5
Nick Sambides, Jr.
Paul Newman, Susan Sarandon, Gene Hackman, Reese Witherspoon, Stockard Channing, James Garner: From top to bottom, the cast of Twilight is first-rate, as are the filmmakers, including writer/director Robert Benton (Kramer vs. Kramer, Billy Bathgate, Nobody's Fool) and co-screenwriter Richard Russo. So why is it, then, that Twilight leaves one feeling vaguely disappointed? Probably because the film has all the pulp and conflict of an old Raymond Chandler potboiler; the story of a tired old private eye who encounters murder, deceit, blackmail, and corruption on the way to solving an old mystery that ensnares a longtime friend can't help but feel shopworn, even when the private eye is Newman and the old pal is Garner. One would be hard-pressed to find two more relaxed and charismatic performers, or, for that matter, a cast as dreamy as this one. And it's easy to see why the actors were so drawn to working with Benton, Russo, and Newman. Their previous collaboration, Nobody's Fool (1994), is a joyously well-observed and entertaining character study, particularly remarkable because it has so many well-drawn characters. But where Nobody's Fool had a delightful feeling of originality -- and, more importantly, several sharp character-based plot twists -- Twilight feels tired. It's great to see so many fine actors working together, but it's too bad that Twilight gives them so little to do.
Trailer
releases for Twilight on AllMovie
Twilight (1998)
|
Title/Studio |
Release Date |
|
Twilight
Paramount Home Entertainment
More
|
June 10, 2002 |
|
Twilight
Paramount
More
|
October 7, 1998 |
