Watch Twilight

Twilight is a star-studded crime drama from 1998 that blends the intricate puzzle of a detective story with the emotional tension of a domestic drama. The film pulls together a formidable ensemble cast led by Paul Newman, Susan Sarandon, and Gene Hackman, three illustrious talents who leave no stone unturned in their quest for unravelling the web of mystery and deceit that the script weaves.

Newman plays Harry Ross, a washed-up, world-weary private investigator in a twilight era of his career and personal life. Ross is a character of engaging complexity displaying a rich tapestry of emotions, skillfully portrayed by Newman. The story unfolds when Harry, living with two old friends and movie stars Jack and Catherine Ames, portrayed by Hackman and Sarandon respectively, stumbles upon a convoluted mystery involving them. Jack Ames, a successful actor, is bed-ridden with terminal cancer and his wife Catherine, who is a luminous and seemingly devoted woman, both holds surprising secrets that keep the viewers on their toes.

Set against the glamorous background of Hollywood, Twilight delves into the hidden layers of the glamorous world and recognizes dark secrets and heartaches hiding behind the shining screen facade. The narrative underscores how fame and fortune can often mask underlying tensions and complexities, and much like Harry Ross, the viewer is invited to unravel the strings of mystery, betrayal, and love.

Following the classic noir detective story pattern, the film allows Harry to investigate the dark underbelly of Hollywood as he endeavors to decipher the tangled relationships and secret pasts of the couple he's drawn to. In his journey, Harry goes beyond the realm of being a mere detective and ventures into emotionally charged terrains.

Susan Sarandon plays Catherine with just the right amount of allure and opacity, teasing and challenging Newman’s character, thus adding layers of intrigue to the story. Gene Hackman offers an excellent performance as Jack, a emotionally distressed character wrestling with his vulnerability, hiding secrets of his own. These three main characters form the core of the film’s narrative, their complex relationships generating a series of dramatic tensions that compel viewers to keep watching.

Nestled within the movie are supporting roles played by Hollywood veterans such as James Garner, Stockard Channing, and Reese Witherspoon, who add depth and color to the plot. Director Robert Benton collaborates with writers Richard Russo and Benton himself to create a moody, evocative, and suspenseful environment that goes beyond mere aesthetics and enters storytelling territory. This setting comes alive with the film's rich cinematography that further heightens the noirish element.

In designing the film, Benton pays homage to the Hollywood of yesteryears, adding an alluring retro charm to the tale. Soaked in melancholy and punctuated with moments of contemplative silence, the film keeps the viewers engrossed throughout its duration.

Despite being a detective story on the surface, Twilight is as much a tale of aging, loneliness and the pursuit of redemption. Newman's character is shown ageing throughout the film, wrestling with his past and grappling with his reality, purpose, and mostly unfulfilled dreams.

On the whole, Twilight combines the atmospheric suspense of a classic detective story and the emotional impact of a well-rounded character study. Newman shines as an old detective tangled in the web of lies, secrets, and intense emotions, with Sarandon and Hackman effectively complementing him. The film is both an engaging whodunit and an emotionally resonant tale of ageing and existential angst, playing out under the glitzy, superficially charming but hiddenly treacherous world of Hollywood. The intense performances, combined with artful direction and a smartly layered script, make Twilight a film worth experiencing.

Twilight is a 1998 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.2.