TWILIGHT

US, 1998, 95 minutes, Colour.
Paul Newman, Susan Sarandon, Gene Hackman, Stockard Channing, Reese Witherspoon, Giancarlo Esposito, James Garner, Liev Schreiber, Margot Martindale, John Spencer, M. Emmett Walsh.
Directed by Robert Benton.

Twilight is for those who appreciate strong performances from veteran stars. The private eye plot and twists remind us of the old days, especially with Paul Newman at 72 in a role reminiscent of his Harper in the 60s. He has worn very well even if he is playing a down and out. Gene Hackman and Susan Sarandon are a rich and arrogant Hollywood couple with skeletons in the closet. James Garner has a good role as their former bodyguard. The screenplay and direction by Robert Benton (Kramer versus Kramer, Places in the Heart, Nobody's Fool) are intelligent with an appeal to a more mature audience which appreciates the film noir genre. Enjoy the veteran
stars.

1. A film noir of the 1990s? The use of the tradition - and the variation, especially with Katherine not being the femme fatale?

2. The exotic settings, Mexico, California, Los Angeles? The homes, the slums, the world of the affluent? The police precincts?

3. The old-style musical score, the use of "The Very Thought of You"? Hollywood people?

4. The title, the characters, ageing? The twilight zone of American moral behaviour, especially in Los Angeles?

5. The interest in the plot, its twists and intersections, characters and shadows? The variation on the femme fatale theme?

6. The prologue, Harry, his experience in searching for Jeff and Mel, the hedonism? His finding them, the room, the shooting? The tone of the film?

7. Harry's narration, the interviews? The flashbacks? Harry, a loser, his life, his self-assessment, truth or not? Verna and her giving him the final truth? Audience perceptions of him as a loser or not?

8. Harry and his life, his connection with the Ames family, with Raymond Hope? His wanting a new life? Mel and her precocious behaviour, his playing cards with Jack, doing handyman work, not getting any payment? His relationship with Katherine, his attitude towards her, in love? The jobs, living above the garage? Suspicions of Katherine and the death of her first husband?

9. Gene Hackman as Jack, portrait of a successful man, a star, on the wane, his vanity, weakness? Cards? His cancer? His being his own man, his will? Katherine and the attack, hospital? Harry and the jobs, getting him to find Mel? His power, especially over Jeff? Sexual betrayal? Suspicions and Mel? The attack on Billy, the cover-up? The role of Raymond in their lives? The final truth, asleep with Katherine? His life spoilt?

10. Susan Sarandon as Katherine, her glamour? The swim, seductive, smoking, her love for Jack? Staying with him and helping him with his cancer? The liaison with Harry, the job, the kiss of life, at the ranch? Jack's return, the questions and answers with Harry? The lies, the ultimate lie? The smash, no sense of responsibility? The truth about her?

11. Raymond, ex-police, friendliness, with Verna, work as a bodyguard? His affluent home, being genial, Harry's visit? Cleaning up, the revelation of the truth, the shoot-out, the angry motivation?

12. Jeff and Mel, Jeff and his resentment, the beach? Gloria and her parole, her scheme, the beach, the house, the deal, the shooting?

13. Mel, her age, her attachment to Jeff, running away, her relating to her parents? The spoilt young woman?

14. Verna, the bond, the truth and the talks, the questions, her telling the truth, the ending?

15. The picture of the police, the investigations, the captain and his antagonism?

16. Reuben, the surveillance, inadequate, Gloria, her death - the digging up the corpse?

17. Lester, Ivar and his death, the investigation?

18. Paul Newman as Harry, in himself, his work, Lester, the house and Verna? The questions, Jack and the cards, his anger, saying he was sorry? Katherine, the sexual liaison? Gloria and Jeff, the beach? Reuben, Ray talking? The twenty-four hours, digging up the corpse? Jack and the truth, Ray and the shoot-out?

19. The tradition of film noir, Los Angeles society, universal aspects of human nature, wealth, violence, truth?