reese witherspoon Archives

Alright before you start wigging out or anything, check out the date for the film. This is NOT the teen-vamp saga. Never seen it, likely never will.

Anyway, this Twilight came out in 1998 and stars Paul Newman, Gene Hackman, Susan Sarandon and (a young) Reese Witherspoon. It is directed and co-written by Robert Benton (Kramer vs. Kramer, Places in the Heart, The Human Stain).

When I first saw Twilight I almost did not care what the plot was. As I sussed out, Harry Ross (Newman) is on the search for young Mel Ames (Witherspoon), scion of Hollywood parents Jack (Hackman) and Catherine (Sarandon). But this is only the beginning. Years pass and Ross, who boards on the Ames Estate, is asked to do another solid for the family. This is where the “fun” begins as the viewer is taken on a ride with plenty of twists and turns, including the reawakening of a 20-year old case involving the disappearance of Catherine’s first husband. (Plot Synopsis Source: Wikipedia)

I will relent and say that it does plod along at times during the film and the strength is in the performance of acting majesty. It has been years since I have seen this, but I am always fascinated and intrigued by contemporary efforts to capture the atmosphere and spirit of those noir films of the 1940s and 1950s.

Also, it is quite possible I have a thing for Paul Newman. Only just so. Seriously, I think if he had released a film in which he was reading the phone directory or staring at a wall watching paint dry, I’d be there.

But there is a sentimental reason why I love him so. As mentioned in this space before, he was an actor that my late father and me had a shared affinity for. So whenever I think of Paul Newman, a part of me is reminded of my beloved father.

Directed by Robert Mulligan (To Kill a Mockingbird), The Man in the Moon marked the feature film debut of one Reese Witherspoon. Set in the Louisiana backwater of the 1950s, it is a coming of age story that is both tender and touching.

In short, during the summer of 1957, 14-year old Dani (Witherspoon) finds herself at first repulsed by and then attracted to her neighbor, Court (Jason London). As she comes to terms with her feelings, betrayal and tragedy take hold, leaving Dani devastated.

If there is a criticism I have noticed has been launched upon the movie, it has to do with audience manipulation when the story takes some fateful and tragic turns. Personally, I was okay with these, as it seems to be common convention for films of this genre.

Another reason that this film has a positive effect on me is that I was a similar age as Reese and her character when I first saw it. So in many ways, it feels like a part of my own ‘coming-of-age.’

As previously mentioned, this was Witherspoon’s first film. She handles the role with an assurance and confidence that far surpasses her years. Her performance is hers alone, but is obviously bolstered by Tess Harper and Sam Waterston, who were great in their performance as her parents. In what would be his last film, director Robert Mulligan proved once again his ability to be an effective storyteller, like he had done in so many films in years past.

The film is beautifully shot and whenever I think of it, it reminds me of a lazy, bright summer’s day with lemonade in hand; in many ways it is almost lyrical.

Be sure to visit Todd Mason’s blog, Sweet Freedom for more ‘overlooked’ titles as well as a few other interesting bits 🙂

Tuesday’s Overlooked Film: Twilight (1998)

Tuesday’s Overlooked: The Man in the Moon (1991)