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Lack of good storyline.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

With so many seasoned and excellent cast members in "Twilight" directed by Robert Benton, you'd think you're in for a good watch, but you'd be mistaken. This movie is a clunker, thanks to a hacked up story and poor direction. Newman and company can only do so well, but when direction and content get in the way, it doesn't matter how good the cast is. Dialog is fairly stilted but what's worse is the noir atmosphere fails. You have voice-over, but lighting and production doesn't lend to it. A final dual with Newman and Garner in their 70s is preposterous, and a stinkbug to end on. 4.5/10 I had higher expectations for this but was disappointed. An epilogue scene was distasteful as well.

I found this story of an aging private eye (Paul Newman in yet another terrific late-career performance), and his aging friends, lovers and clients (Gene Hackman, Susan Sarandon, James Garner, all doing admirable work) touching, sweet, funny, sad, and an enjoyable noir mystery to boot. Its not that the plotting is that brilliant, or the story that novel, but this is really more about the characters than the mystery anyway. Its about aging and loss and trying to hold onto your pride and self-esteem in the face of the indignities later life. In all that it has much in common with Benton"s earlier, very good "Late Show", but for me this had even more depth and resonance (perhaps reflective of Benton"s own aging?).

Newman, in a role similar to "Harper," is a has-been private detective living with and helping out aging movie actors Hackman and Sarandon. The script is rather convoluted and ultimately less than satisfying. However, it is a pleasure to watch old pros like Newman, Hackman, and Garner, each about seventy at the time of this film. Comparatively, Sarandon and Channing are spry young things in their fifties. The impressive cast also features up-and-coming stars like Witherspoon and Schreiber. Benton, who co-wrote the script, creates a nice atmosphere, aided by one of Bernstein's last scores. Given such an assemblage of talent, the film is a disappointment.

Private detective and a retired ex-cop Harry Ross lives with two wealthy actors, Jack Ames and his wife Catherine.Jack has a cancer and may be dying soon.Harry has a thing with his wife.They have a 17 -year old daughter Mel, who is having some good times with a guy named Jeff Willis.In the beginning we see Harry getting Mel back home.But Jeff causes some more trouble to Harry later.Then his big case is to solve a 20- year old case involving the disappearance of Catherine's ex-husband.Harry's old cop friend has done, as we find out, some occasional errands for Jack and Catherine.Robert Benton's Twilight is a nice Neo Noir from 1998.The terrific Paul Newman and his charisma carries a big part of this movie.His performance of Harry Ross is great.And some other veteran actors are there along with Paul to safe this movie from mediocrity.Gene Hackman portrays the old actor with cancer.James Garner is the friend turned enemy Raymond Hope.Susan Sarandon is real classy as Catherine Ames.It's no wonder Reese Witherspoon is left in the shadows of these performers with more experience.Stockard Channing is in the movie portraying Lt. Verna Hollander.Giancarlo Esposito plays Reuben Escobar, who gets nowhere near Harry Ross as a detective.Liev Schreiber is the no good Jeff Willis.Margo Martindale plays Gloria Lamar.M. Emmett Walsh is seen as Lester Ivar.And Clint Howard is seen as EMS Worker.Elmer Bernstein is behind the music.There's pretty much of good stuff in this movie, like when Harry Ross finds out about his friend's, Raymond Hope's crime, and shoots him before he gets a chance.It's nice to see these old guys in action.Without these great people this would be a much worse movie.