Stars: Gene Hackman, James Woods, Jennifer Warren, Melanie Griffith
Best Quote:
Tom Iverson: I want that kid the hell out of here. You see, I... I got pretty foolish with her, and I... Well, you've seen her. God, there ought to be a law!
Hackman: (Dryly) There is.
Considered by some to be a "cult classic", Night Moves starts out slow but ends with a bang. Hackman is excellent as the middle-aged detective who's always one step behind and over-his-head. Almost everyone lends fine support, especially Janet Ward as the less-than-loving Mother and Melanie Griffith as the over-sexed, baby-faced 16 year old with a killer body. The only exceptions are Jennifer Warren, who's too plain for a femme fatale and Harris Yulin, who makes little impression.
Unfortunately ,the good acting can't overcome the massive plot holes and a dull first half. The first murder doesn't come till the 60 minute mark (with 40 minutes to go). Before that, not much happens - all we get is a rambling story of a below-average detective and his unfaithful wife.
Plot holes.
Why wasn't Ed Binns killed in the car crash? And would the killers choose such an uncertain & easily traced method of murder? How did Ed Binns fly an airplane and shoot a sub-machine gun with one broken arm? Why did Iverson leave Woods' body out in the open? How does Ed Binns know where Hackman is? Why are the crooks storing a *wooden* artifact UNDERWATER -where it can erode?
The Meaning of "Night Moves"
BTW, the title "Night moves" is a bad pun. It refers to the "Knight moves" in a famous 1922 chess game with Grand-master Bruno Moritz, who missed a queen sacrifice/checkmate and lost the game. Hackman re-plays the game on his small chess set during the movie.
Summary
Night Moves has increased in popularity since its dismal 1975 box office. But its still a flawed movie, with some fine acting and an action packed finish -but weighted down with a dull first half and plot holes.
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