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Night Moves

Play trailer Poster for Night Moves R 1975 1h 39m Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 85 Reviews 72% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Hard-nosed private investigator Harry Moseby (Gene Hackman), to distract himself from a rapidly deteriorating marriage, takes a case from an aging B-movie queen (Janet Ward) to locate her runaway daughter, Delly (Melanie Griffith). His search takes him to the Florida Keys, where the girl has been hiding out with her stepfather, Tom (John Crawford), and Tom's lover, Paula (Jennifer Warren). Harry initiates an affair with Paula and soon learns the case is more complex than he first assessed it.
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Night Moves

Night Moves

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Critics Consensus

A neo-noir that favors rich psychological depth and mood over suspense, Night Moves is elevated by Arthur Penn's introspective direction and Gene Hackman's brooding performance.

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Critics Reviews

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Martin Knelman Globe and Mail Oct 8
Night Moves is generally compelling even when you're not sure why you're being drawn in by it. Go to Full Review
Dilys Powell The Times (UK) May 29
Night Moves never lets you escape. Go to Full Review
Richard Combs Sight & Sound May 29
In keeping with the fragmentary, allusive nature of Sharp's script, Penn gives a discontinuous episodic feeling to the film. Go to Full Review
Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Nov 18
4/4
The missing link between the great paranoia thrillers of the 1970s and the great neo-noir deconstructions of the 1970s, this has finally moved the needle from being an overlooked gem to receiving its due. Go to Full Review
Lou Cedrone Baltimore Sun Oct 7
"Night Moves" is an authentic recall of the Bogart era with Hackman doing very nicely as the private eye. Go to Full Review
Tom Hutchinson Radio Times Aug 31
4/5
An enigmatic masterpiece whose pleasures are allusive and entirely cinematic. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Jonathan L Sep 19 Until I saw this I didn't know how Hollywood could ruin a Neo-noir. This film had everything and gave the viewer nothing. Hackman, four interesting actresses, even impressive airplane and boat stunts. Shakespeare, who of course had no chance of seeing it, nevertheless described it: "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." Having been a young married man with a newborn daughter when this film came out, I do recognize the malaise of the 1970's, however. The term "nihilism" comes to mind, but this movie manages to trivialize nihilism. Perhaps that is its greatest feat, for which I give it one and a half stars. See more Jonathan O Jul 27 A rapid fire of mystery and entertaining neo-noir thriller and Gene Hackman performance is really a force of nature and whole cast are splendid but the editing is okay but could have done better. See more Clint E Jun 17 In this neo-noir from 1975, Gene Hackman is reteamed with director Arthur Penn from Bonnie and Clyde. Hackman plays private investigator Harry Moseby, hired by an aging movie star to locate her runaway daughter, played by Melanie Griffith. If you didn’t already know, this film’s controversy derives from Griffith’s age at filming; look it up if you’re curious. The film’s got a fantastic, intricate plot containing many 70s film elements. Personally, I could live without the plotline involving Moseby’s shaky marriage and his wife’s (Susan Clark) infidelity. Besides Hackman’s, the character and performance most intriguing to me is Jennifer Warren’s Paula, a laid-back happily amoral embodiment of the Florida Keys lifestyle. She’s the most unusual character, one I’d like to know more about. They’re all great noir characters, including Griffith’s character’s faded star mother, all worthy descendants of noir creators Raymond Chandler and James M. Cain. There’s a sleazy connection between the runaway girl, an ex-stepfather, Hollywood stuntmen, and mechanic/ movie crew member Quentin (newcomer James Woods). Finally, the rationale for all the sinister plotting and murder is kind of anticlimactic, really…relics smuggled from the Yucatan? That’s the best you’ve got? The intricate plot and excellent characters deserve better. Recommended to all neo-noir and Gene Hackman (RIP) fans. See more Revolver 0 @Revolver08 Jun 5 Good movie with nice amount of tattas See more Brad S. R Mar 23 A wickedly intriguing thriller. See more Mary C 11/29/2024 Absolutely creepy. No plot, just several attempts to illicit sexual sensation's while looking at a 16 year old girl. Good job Hollywood for getting away with sexually soliciting a minor ....yuk Lots of problems with this and I am a very sexually healthy woman. See more Read all reviews
Night Moves

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis Hard-nosed private investigator Harry Moseby (Gene Hackman), to distract himself from a rapidly deteriorating marriage, takes a case from an aging B-movie queen (Janet Ward) to locate her runaway daughter, Delly (Melanie Griffith). His search takes him to the Florida Keys, where the girl has been hiding out with her stepfather, Tom (John Crawford), and Tom's lover, Paula (Jennifer Warren). Harry initiates an affair with Paula and soon learns the case is more complex than he first assessed it.
Director
Arthur Penn
Producer
Robert M. Sherman
Screenwriter
Alan Sharp
Production Co
Warner Bros.
Rating
R
Genre
Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jun 11, 1975, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 1, 2011
Runtime
1h 39m
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