Photography by Robert Paynter, BSC

I think Robert Paynter's work with John Landis is SO underrated for being so influential throughout the 19980s. AMERICAN WEREWOLF, TRADING PLACES, THRILLER... They mastered the Saturday Night Live visuals of the decade for the cinema: wide angles, extreme dramatic contrast and soft lit naturalistic scenes.

INTO THE NIGHT I think is REALLY special though, as it's lit very delicately by Paynter- all of the Landis/Paynter films were spherical 1.85:1, and in this Paynter is widest open in lower light, capturing the raw feel of LA. However, there's much poetry on screen, with beautiful diffused soft portraits adding visual romance to Pfeiffer and Goldblum's partnership. The use of dramatic shadow amongst all of the real available light is also very intelligent. Paynter was very much up there with his old friends David Watkin and Billy Williams in his lensing of this picture.

In my opinion INTO THE NIGHT really deserved an Oscar for cinematography. It's too bad Landis and Paynter parted company after SPIES LIKE US. Landis never had a cameraman so in tune with his very visual style.