Anyone remember Gene Hackman's Night Moves?

Discussion in 'Visual Arts' started by The Panda, May 28, 2014.

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  1. The Panda

    The Panda Forum Mutant Thread Starter

    Location:
    Marple, PA, USA
    Thinking about this great movie today. Gene rising way above the b movie genre. It's a great atmospheric noir, I love the scene where the couple talk about where they were when Kennedy died, it just seems so natural and right. A very young James Woods and Melanie Griffith co star, and Michael Small contributes a nice score (title theme later sung by Michael Franks).
     
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  2. Combination

    Combination Forum Resident

    Location:
    New Orleans
    Actually watched it a few months ago - absolutely worth seeking out.
     
  3. Mylene

    Mylene Senior Member

    We had to study it in high school. I can't remember anything about it now.
     
  4. thegage

    thegage Forum Currency Nerd

    Directed by the great Arthur Penn. Well worth seeking out.

    John K
     
  5. guy incognito

    guy incognito Senior Member

    Location:
    Mee-chigan
    Saw it for the first time a couple years ago. Great little movie.

    Of course, a year after this film's release Bob Seger released his album of the same title. Coincidence? You be the judge.
     
  6. Ghostworld

    Ghostworld Senior Member

    Location:
    US
    Sure Melanie Griffith topless. How could you forget?
     
  7. dirkster

    dirkster Senior Member

    Location:
    McKinney, TX, USA
    Great movie. Saw it. For the first time last year.
     
  8. Siegmund

    Siegmund Vinyl Sceptic

    Location:
    Britain, Europe
    I watched this film for the second time recently. Afaia, it did not inspire the Bob Seger song of the same title.

    Gene Hackman plays a private detective with marriage issues who is assigned to locate an heiress by her stepmother. He uncovers a complex criminal network while attempting to resolve his personal problems.

    Actually, the plot is very much secondary to character development, as this is very much an actor-led film. Hackman is quite superb (was he ever anything else?) in the central role of the detective who still mourns his aborted footballing career and struggles manfully with his feelings of lust for a nubile Melanie Griffith (in her screen debut). Great support from Susan Clark and Jennifer Warren as the two other women in his life.

    Anyone else seen this one?
     
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  9. The Panda

    The Panda Forum Mutant Thread Starter

    Location:
    Marple, PA, USA
    saw it in the theater. Fantastic film. A young James Woods as Melanie's boyfriend.
    Dialogue is so perfect. My favorite is the scene about Kennedys. It's so natural. Something two people would talk about late at night (in the 70's)
    The violence of the end really freaked out the girl who was with me back then.
    My wife didn't get the ending when I showed it to her a few years ago. I do wish the ending was different, and I don't say that very much.

    music note: The theme was recorded with vocals by Michael Franks on his first album. Lyrics don't have anything to do with the film
     
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  10. jsayers

    jsayers Just Drifting....

    Location:
    Horse Shoe, NC
    Love this film, first saw it on TCM a good while back, at least 10 years ago. I have the dvd, and I think there's a Blu-ray out in Europe. This movie reminds me of "Charley Varrick" for some reason, another film I really like a lot. Man, I love me some 70's movies - good era for film, imho.
     
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  11. ruben lopez

    ruben lopez Nunc Est Bibendum

    Location:
    Barcelona Spain
    Great noir film,i always thought Knight Moves was somehow more appropriate a title.:)
     
  12. ralphb

    ralphb "First they came for..."

    Location:
    Brooklyn, New York
    I've seen it a few times, excellent noir, very dark with a bunch of unreliable characters. I don't remember the reaction it got when it was first released, but Hackman was on a creative role at this point. This one and "The Conversation" (genius movie) are my fave Hackman films..
     
  13. alexpop

    alexpop Power pop + other bad habits....

    Seen it when it came out.
    3 Hackman's films stand out for me in the seventies, French Connection, The Conversation, and the dark
    Night Moves.
     
  14. PhilBorder

    PhilBorder Senior Member

    Location:
    Sheboygan, WI
    Yeah, some really good movies made then. You might also like "Laughing Policeman" and "Taking of Pelham 1-2-3" with Matthau. Scored 3 in a row with these.
     
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  15. smilin ed

    smilin ed Senior Member

    Location:
    Durham
    Great film - and from a period where there were many quality American films.
     
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  16. Dan C

    Dan C Forum Fotographer

    Location:
    The West
    I love this era and style of filmmaking but still haven't had a chance to see this movie. This thread is a great reminder that I need to! I assume it's available to rent on Amazon...

    dan c
     
  17. Cheepnik

    Cheepnik Overfed long-haired leaping gnome

    The first time I saw it was on VHS 30-some years ago. The ending is a mind-blower -- I had rewind and watch it over at least twice. 92 in the Shade, also from '75, has a similar feel to it.
     
  18. jojopuppyfish

    jojopuppyfish Senior Member

    Location:
    Maryland
    I saw it at the Nuart Theater in Los Angeles as part of a Film Noir festival.
    A great movie.

    Another movie that is in the same genre is Point Blank with Lee Marvin.
    Many Neo Film Noir films post 1950s hold up well to the 40s and 50s hey day....including Chinatown through LA Confidential
     
  19. jsayers

    jsayers Just Drifting....

    Location:
    Horse Shoe, NC
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  20. gramfan

    gramfan Forum Resident

    Location:
    gainesville,ga,usa
    Has the house Phil Kaufman owned about the time (1974) he stole Gram Parsons body..
     
  21. dmiller458

    dmiller458 Forum Resident

    Location:
    Midland, Michigan
    He needs to come out of retirement for one last film; reteam with Clint Eastwood for a remake of Ride the High Country.
     
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  22. Just came out on Blu-ray. Looks mavelous
     
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  23. Strat-Mangler

    Strat-Mangler Personal Survival Daily Record-Breaker

    Location:
    Toronto
    It's all about the mustache.

    [​IMG]
     
  24. Myke

    Myke Trying Not To Spook The Horse

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  25. You mean pornstache?
     
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