Twilight (1998)

In co-writer/director Robert Benton's moody, somber neo-noirish, who-dunit detective drama - the over-wrought R-rated plot told about an intriguing Hollywood sex scandal and cover-up, adultery, murderous blackmailers, betrayal, and long-buried past secrets in an unsolved case that would haunt retired ex-cop and alcoholic, aging private investigator Harry Ross (73 year-old Paul Newman). There were many serious and melancholy musings (plus jokes) in the dialogue about mortality and typical signs of aging amongst the elderly protagonists.

Co-scriptor Richard Russo co-adapted the script from his novel of the same name. Paul Newman's previous film Nobody’s Fool (1994) was also written and directed by Benton, and based on a novel by Russo. The film was considered an unofficial 3rd film to complete a trilogy of private-eye Lew Harper films (similar to the Harry Ross character) that Newman starred in previously: Harper (1966) and The Drowning Pool (1975). [Note: The film version of Lew Harper was based upon the character of Lew Archer in Ross Macdonald's private eye novels.]

The film's rich score was composed by the legendary Elmer Bernstein. Its color cinematography (by Polish-born Piotr Sobocinski) and its cast of well-known accomplished actors belied the film's roots in film-noir. However, it did feature many of the main components of classic noir: a down-and-out private detective on a mission, a sultry and flirtatious femme fatale (Susan Sarandon), crackling, sharp and witty dialogue, scenes mostly occurring at nighttime, and numerous twists and complex turns in the predictable, contrived and mundane plot that in some respects paid homage to the confusions in The Big Sleep (1946).

The film's title was again used more noticeably for the unrelated series of romantic vampire films beginning in 2008. During filming, its original title was The Magic Hour, but due to the similarly-named TV show (starring LA Lakers star Magic Johnson) at the time that had been cancelled, a change had to be made. The film's more ambiguous title had a double meaning - it referred to the time of day, as well as to the later stages of life of a few of the major characters. The tagline summarized the protagonist's dilemma:

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

On a budget of $37 million, it made only $15 million, and in addition to mixed reviews, it was considered a box-office bomb. The film became infamous because it featured aspiring 22 year-old actress Reese Witherspoon in her first nude (topless) scene as a 17 year-old runaway. It would be another 16 years before she also appeared unclothed in Wild (2014).

• in the film's opening sequence, aging, white-haired ex-cop and PI Harry Ross (Paul Newman) was drinking beers in a Puerto Vallarta, Mexican resort, while being entertained at the pool by a Mexican mariachi band; he had been hired to stalk and locate a young couple: older and sleazy loser boyfriend Jeff Willis (Liev Schreiber) and younger 17 year-old Mel Ames (future Oscar-winner Reese Witherspoon for Walk the Line (2005)); he identified them and listened as they ordered drinks 10 feet away from him and charged the tab to Room # 137

Jeff Willis Answering Mel's Question: "Do you love me?"

• after briefly swimming in the ocean, the two retreated to their resort hotel room, and after Jeff kissed down Mel's naked chest, she asked: "Jack? Do you love me?... I mean, it's okay if you don't"; as he showered behind a closed bathroom door, she was confronted by Harry in the bedroom (he had earlier broken in to their room) - and she hypothesized that he had been hired to return her to her home in LA: "Let me guess. My parents sent you"
• as Harry dragged her away through the resort, Jeff (wrapped in a towel) caught up to them and demanded for her to be released; Harry ordered: "Listen, she's 17 years old, and I'm taking her home. Don't try anything"; Harry was hit from behind by Mel, causing him to drop his revolver; Mel picked it up and accidentally fired the gun into the deck-tiling, causing the bullet to ricochet into Harry's right upper thigh
• in Los Angeles (Hollywood), CA two years later (October 20, 1997) - during a taped police interrogation, Harry spoke (in voice-over): "My name is Harry Ross. And here's the way my life has gone. First I was a cop, then a private detective. And then - a drunk. Also, in there somewhere, a husband and a father. You'd think, with all that, that the world loses its power to seduce. But you'd be wrong"
• the opening title credits played atop a sparkling outdoor pool where a fully-nude female figure swam underwater; Harry (wearing a pink long-sleeved polo shirt) happened to enter the pool area and averted his eyes as Catherine Ames (Susan Sarandon), an ex-Hollywood star, exited the pool behind him; she flirted with him about how he had seen all of her movies: ("You've seen everything there is of me to see...Well, it's safe to turn around now")

Opening Title Credits

• as Catherine's husband, another ex-star Jack Ames (Gene Hackman), called out for Harry to join him for a game of cards, she discussed how she was angered at Jack for "bouncing checks, making withdrawals without telling me, not listening to his doctor. In short, being Jack"
• TBC