Allez on va laisser les jeunots s'extasier sur Reese Witherspoon (que je trouve totalement insignifiante comme actrice...sur tous les plans...Je l'ai apprécié dans PLEASANTVILLE ainsi que Tobbey Mc Guire mais pour ces deux là en ce qui me concerne RIDEAU!
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0119594/reviews?start=10
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7 out of 9 people found the following review useful:
Film Noir redux
Author: Wryter47-1 from Buenos Aires, Argentina
15 May 2007
Perhaps it's 'cause I'm pushing 65, but this film just grabbed me from the start. Besides the fact that all the key actors are "seniors," or almost, they got all my buttons pushed from the start. Having been an NYPD auxiliary for several years and getting to hang around with the "real" cops, I saw a lot of the cynical stuff but a surprising amount of "the real stuff" too. This film reflected that -- world-weary but hanging in there -- and within that framework it was interesting to see the plot develop. The whole mood of the film struck me as dead on, and I'm one who usually doesn't like many films. It struck me as exactly on par in the 90s with some of the best noir films of generations past. Nine and maybe even 10. Thanks.
Most critics wrote off the film because of the poor script and the lackluster direction. Yes, it is true that an average viewer should be able to spot the villain, well before the ex-cop and ex-private investigator does so in the film by comparing life-styles. But that is what young audiences will look for in the movie. What I liked about the script were the subtle dialogues ranging from Samuel Johnson misquotes to acerbic one-liners that developed each of the characters slowly. Take the misty-eyed Lt. Verna (Stockard Channing) greeting Ross as an old acquaintance and then closing the dialogue with the icy "Cuff him!" to the arresting officers. You have an extra-ordinary script here and everywhere in the film.
This film is not action-packed; it is heavy on dialogue requiring a mature mind to take in the clever character buildup. Sarandon's character, in particular, was well developed leading to a charming finale.Benton never appealed to me as a great director; nonetheless this film's strength lies in his script (co-scripted by Russo), a thoroughly delightful cast ensemble, and a notable camerawork by Sobocinsky.Finally, I thought the film's name was a wonderful and appropriate selection.
Author: jotix100 from New York
5 June 2005Robert Benton, an otherwise excellent film director, must not have been too inspired with this film, and it shows! Every element that went into it should have produced an interesting film, after all, this was the second collaboration between Mr. Benton and Richard Russo, a wonderful writer on his own right. Unfortunately, there are no sparks in this slow evolving take on deceit and an unsolved crime in L.A.
The opening scenes are deceiving because they take place in Puerto Vallarta. We see Harry Ross, a private investigator, going to the rescue of a rich girl, Mel Ames. Mel is a gorgeous creature that is seen in all her glory, and it seems to have been planned that way in order to hook the viewer into staying for the rest of the story. Alas, beautiful Mel goes straight and is only seen in a couple of other scenes! We lose, that's all!
As a film noir, there are too many things that don't make sense in "Twilight". The film is not a complete waste, although the pace, being slow, doesn't add anything to the story, or the way we feel after sitting through it after a while.Paul Newman makes an interesting appearance as Harry. James Garner, another great personality, does the best with the small part of Raymond Hope. Susan Sarandon is mysterious and secretive as Catherine and Gene Hackman doesn't have much to do. Reese Witherspoon, making her screen debut, is lovingly captured by the camera.
Stockard Channing, one of the best stage and film actress working in films today, is wasted. Giancarlo Esposito is the only one that brings a badly needed comic relief to the movie. M. Emmet Walsh, Liev Schrieber, Margo Martindale, and John Spencer play minor roles.While the film is far from horrible, but it requires a lot of patience from the viewer. The crisp cinematography by Piotr Sobocinski gives the film a beautiful patina. Also the moody music score of Elmer Bernstein and the production design of David Gropman, contribute to make the film appear much better than it is.(c'est vrai que la musique aide bien)
Author: mike dewey from canton, ohio
16 February 2007As my summary title suggests, I found this to be an enjoyable "reunion" movie, not only in reference to the reuniting of old star favorites getting together for old times' sake to make a film, but also because the screenplay is about old Hollywood cronies from yesteryear getting involved in some updated and dicey melodrama.
The interplay amongst the "old guard" is highly entertaining. Newman, Hackman, Garner, Channing and Sarandon provide sophisticated and amusing banter. Although Ms. Sarandon and Channing are somewhat younger than the aforementioned actors, they blend in with the "boys" smoothly. The talents of the supporting cast, Liev, Reese, Giancarlo and "mucho"(Margo Martindale) are not lost either. The depth and intricacy of the story line does not suffer as a result of the cute and witty banter: rather, the humor augments the tone and helps to set the stage for the evolving dramatic plot twists.
I would be remiss to exclude lauding the hauntingly beautiful and appropriate soundtrack and recurring theme by Elmer Bernstein. His contribution is as important to the subtlety and color of the story line as any cast member's.Although all the characters shine in this Hollywood detective escapade, Mr. Garner shines the brightest in his sardonically gritty role, even in its more limited time allotment.A good flick to catch, especially if you like the subtlety of substance over form!
Author: hobbes3 from boston
18 April 2000
I saw this at the theater and recently rented it for another look. This film takes its time spinning out the story and developing characters. In addition to the leads there are fine supporting performances as well. Giancarlo Esposito, Liev Schreiber, Margo Martindale and of course, Stockard Channing all have moments in the film that are little gems. Break out the popcorn, sit back, put your feet up and let this movie draw you in.
Author: bucco from florida
26 May 1999
Lots of people will sit through a well-known symphony, already knowing how the tune goes, but not minding because they want to see how this particular orchestra will play it.The same goes for "Twilight." We've all heard this tune. The fun is watching how the Newman-Hackman-Sarandon-Garner orchestra will play it.
For my money, they can sure carry a tune.
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?).
great cast
Author: KyleFurr2 from United States
3 September 2005
This movie has an amazing cast and the same director who also directed Nobody's Fool. Paul Newman plays a private detective who in the first scene is in Mexico looking for an underage Reese Witherspoon and she winds up shooting him right in his leg next to his pecker and there is a rumor that she actually shot it off. Witherspoon is the daughter of two old movie stars played by Gene Hackman, who is dying of cancer, and Susan Sarandon. They are letting Newman stay at their mansion and even though Newman is basically retired, Hackman gives him some money to give to a lady and he winds up being shot at by a dying man. The mystery is actually a little disappointing but it has a great cast that also includes Stockard Channing and James Garner.
But for the choppy editing this would be a top-notch color "film noir". Its socio-political message couldn't be clearer or more to the point. Some "important" people are so convinced that whatever they do is right, that their conduct amounts to group sociopathy. The crime story is interesting as it supports this theme, but the ultimate "solution" should not be too much of a surprise. The private detectives are a broad spectrum of types: very competent but world weary, incompetent but enthusiastic, venal losers, venal winners (after a fashion). The official police are a mixed bag too, but presented as mostly honest if not always too eager to press on the "important" people. There are some bad apples, though. In short, the film is a lot like life. There's great cast work by the principals and good color camera work to match the "noir" genre.
