In Night Moves, Gene Hackman plays Harry Moseby, a private detective that, while in a routine case, tracking down a missing teenage girl, discovers his wife’s infidelity. This film shares thematic similarities with 1970s noir classics like Chinatown and The Long Goodbye, but differs itself by not having the protagonist as participant of the main plot, becoming more a character study than a mystery thriller.
The character however is extremely compelling: a man hardened by years of witnessing human betrayal and corruption that now finds himself on the receiving end of what he has so often observed, a consequence of the emotional distance and weariness his job has wrought. Gene Hackman delivers a standout performance, portraying a constant sadness underneeth his intense screams and actions.
The mystery at the heart of the film, while effective, doesn’t break new ground. The plot features familiar elements, such as characters that are more than what they seem, but lacks the memorability and strong performances of supporting characters found in other noir classics. Notably, characters like Paula and Arlene fall short, with some poorly delivered lines and choppy editing in their scenes, specially in the latter, possibly due to difficulties in selecting the best takes.
The film’s third act features a satisfying twist and a gripping climactic chase that wraps up the narrative effectively. However, Night Moves falls short of the high standards set by its noir predecessors, partly due to key plot developments happening offscreen and partly due to the director Arthur Penn’s inability to deliver a great film, often resorting to gratuitous nudity, as it that would automatically make the film more mature and edgy. Despite these shortcomings, the movie shines when Hackman’s performance takes center stage, offering a rewarding experience for those who appreciate a well acted character-driven narrative.
Still courtesy of Warner Bros.
- 1One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
- 2Dersu Uzala
- 3Jaws
- 4Nashville
- 5Manila in the Claws of Light
- 21Night Moves#21 of 51
- Where to watch
- Rent or buy at Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Amazon Video
- Where to watch
- Not available for streaming
Play trailer
- Original title
- Night Moves
- Director
- Arthur Penn
- Cast
- Gene Hackman, Jennifer Warren, John Crawford, Susan Clark, Melanie Griffith, Edward Binns, Harris Yulin, Janet Ward
- Rated
- R
- Screenwriter
- Alan Sharp
- Composer
- Michael Small
- Cinematography
- Bruce Surtees
- Editor
- Dede Allen, Stephen A. Rotter
- Country
- Language
- English
- Distributor (CA)
- Warner Bros.