Blu Ray Review: Twilight (1998)

Not to be confused with the vampire movie of ten years later, this is a vintage-style noir featuring a cast packed with welcome veterans like Paul Newman, Gene Hackman, Susan Sarandon, James Garner, Reese Witherspoon, Stockard Channing and Liev Schreiber. While the acting is naturally top drawer, the narrative is quietly compelling, and very powerful with good direction by Robert Benton. Along with the noted heavyweights in the cast, mention should be made of veteran actress Margo Martindale's performance

The film weaves its narrative around several desintations, Newman's character being the focal point and offering occasional narration in the classic noir manner. Director Benton's shots that alternate between dark scenes and light add a neat visual aesthetic to the layered mystery.

Paul Newman was past 70 when he played this role, but remains capable and effective in the sudden bursts of violence as he is in the dialog scenes, still anchoring every scene with the same alpha-male control found in earlier classics like The Hustler. And the film ranges smoothly from sudden violence to quiet sadness, but mostly is absorbing and suspenseful.

Kino's blu ray is a beautiful sharp print with optional audio commentary by film critics Alain Silver and James Ursini. It is available at this link: TWILIGHT