Twilight (1998)

Director:

Robert Benton

Writers (WGA):

Robert Benton (written by) &
Richard Russo (written by)

Release Date:

6 March 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller | Crime

Tagline:

Some people can buy their way out of anything. Except the past.

Plot:

A retired ex-cop and private detective (Newman) who lives with a rich actor (Hackman) who is dying from...

Plot Keywords:

Money | Private Detective | Actress | Blackmail | Disappearance

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Dec. 14

1:00 AM

USA

Cast

Paul Newman	...	Harry Ross
Susan Sarandon	...	Catherine Ames
Gene Hackman	...	Jack Ames
Reese Witherspoon	...	Mel Ames
Stockard Channing	...	Lt. Verna Hollander
James Garner	...	Raymond Hope
Giancarlo Esposito	...	Reuben Escobar
Liev Schreiber	...	Jeff Willis
Margo Martindale	...	Gloria Lamar
John Spencer	...	Capt. Phil Egan
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Lester Ivar
Peter Gregory	...	Verna's Partner
Rene Mujica	...	Mexican Bartender
Jason Clarke	...	Young Cop #1
Patrick Malone	...	Younger Cop (as Patrick Y. Malone)

Also Known As:

The Magic Hour (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language and some sexuality.

Runtime:

94 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:M | Iceland:12 | South Korea:15 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-12 | France:U | Germany:12 (w) | Peru:14 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Ireland:15 | Netherlands:16

Filming Locations:

Cedric Gibbons/Dolores Del Rio house, Santa Monica, California, USA

Company:

Cinehaus

Trivia:

The movie clip that Paul Newman and Gene Hackman view briefly toward the end of the film is of a much younger Hackman along with Dabney Coleman from Downhill Racer (1969).

Goofs:

Audio/visual unsynchronized: When Harry and Gloria are under the pier, their conversation doesn't match how and when their lips are moving.

Quotes:

[Harry turns away when he sees Catherine swimming nude.]
Catherine Ames: Honestly, Harry. Did you see me in "The Last Rebel"?
Harry Ames: Yeah.
Catherine Ames: And you saw me in "The End of Desire"?
Harry Ames: Yeah.
Catherine Ames: Then I think you've seen everything there is of me to see.
Harry Ames: I also remember a movie your husband made. He shot 12 guys with a 6-shot revolver. I ain't gonna argue with that kind of marksmanship.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Ancient Evil 2: Guardian of the Underworld (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

P.M. Country Blues

Will loyalty hinder a crime being solved?

Paul Newman is an ex-cop turned private eye, whose work leads to a lengthy friendship with an aging actor (Gene Hackman). Susan Sarandon is a recognizable actress married to the dying Hackman character. The actress's past husband was thought to be lost at sea. Some believe he was murdered. Blackmail and flirtatious adultery spices up the low impact script. Dialog seems to have been phoned in over a cup of coffee. James Garner and Stockard Channing round out an all-star cast. There are moments of dark humor at Newman's character's expense. Sarandon is a little sappy, but invigorating. Channing is wasted in such a small part. Predictable and slow script; but the Oscar winners among the cast make this flick worthwhile.