The Parallax View

Rating:
Summary: "70's Paranoia At Its Best!
Review: "The Parallax View" remains one of the classic paranoid conspiracy thrillers of the 1970's.

Released during the height of the Watergate revelations and just a few years after the assassinations of the sixties, "Parallax" played on the general public mistrust of the government, politicians and big monolithic corporations.

Director Alan Pakula ("All The President's Men") gives the film a stunning visual style (the reporter hero (Warren Beatty) is continually shown being dwarfed by the large Parallax steel and glass headquarters)and the short film Beatty is told to watch as he attempts to infiltrate the Parallax conspiracy remains one of the best moments ever in a feature film.

The quality of the DVD is superb (especially considering the film is almost 30 years old), images are sharp and clear.

However,considering the film's dense subject matter, one would have hoped Paramount would have included some additional special features (interviews with political activist Beatty, screenwriters Lorenzo Semple Jr. and David Giler; making of featurette etc).

Example: the final shooting script of "Parallax" is completely different from the original screenplay that was written by Semple; Beatty changed the character of the hero from a small town cop to an investigative reporter.

The only special feature included on the DVD is an well produced 1974 theatrical trailer.

However, the widescreen version of the film is a far improvement over the pan and scan version available on VHS.

Conspiracy buffs still find "The Parallax View" one of the best films of the genre.

Rating:
Summary: NOT SURE WHAT BEATTY WAS SHOOTING FOR
Review: "The Parallax View" was big liberal Warren Beatty's attempt to describe a conspiracy involving shadowy government agencies. It is entertaining and worth watching, but misses the mark. Beatty seems to be trying to piece together an explanation on how, or even who, killed Kennedy. "The Manchurian Candidate" may have inspired him. Beatty plays a journalist who goes undercover, allowing himself to be recruited by the Parallax Corporation, presumably a CIA front that trains assassins. His psychological profile is determined in part by watching a disturbing montage of scenes, ranging from love, sex and patriotism to war, gore and devil worship, mixed with the juxtaposition of wealth vs. need. The point seems to be that people go hungry while rich America has sex and kills people?

STEVEN TRAVERS
AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
[e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: "70's Paranoia At Its Best!
Review: "The Parallax View" remains one of the classic paranoid conspiracy thrillers of the 1970's.

Released during the height of the Watergate revelations and just a few years after the assassinations of the sixties, "Parallax" played on the general public mistrust of the government, politicians and big monolithic corporations.

Director Alan Pakula ("All The President's Men") gives the film a stunning visual style (the reporter hero (Warren Beatty) is continually shown being dwarfed by the large Parallax steel and glass headquarters)and the short film Beatty is told to watch as he attempts to infiltrate the Parallax conspiracy remains one of the best moments ever in a feature film.

The quality of the DVD is superb (especially considering the film is almost 30 years old), images are sharp and clear.

However,considering the film's dense subject matter, one would have hoped Paramount would have included some additional special features (interviews with political activist Beatty, screenwriters Lorenzo Semple Jr. and David Giler; making of featurette etc).

Example: the final shooting script of "Parallax" is completely different from the original screenplay that was written by Semple; Beatty changed the character of the hero from a small town cop to an investigative reporter.

The only special feature included on the DVD is an well produced 1974 theatrical trailer.

However, the widescreen version of the film is a far improvement over the pan and scan version available on VHS.

Conspiracy buffs still find "The Parallax View" one of the best films of the genre.

Rating:
Summary: Simple? Yet Effective.
Review: 'The Parallax View,' boasts a quality absent in most conspiracy thrillers -- The ability to stand as a compelling film, without relying on complicated plot devices, and distracting production features. Warren Beatty, and his supporting cast, perform well, with enough subtlety to be convincing as everyday people. Alan Pakula, the director, does an excellent job of letting the story tell itself. Much like 'The Conversation,' the protagonist, here, is a victim of fate. Once involved, there's no way out. This develops the conspiracy as a character in its self; an effective one at that. This underrated gem deserves a look. Pay attention to the obvious references to the JFK Assassination, and how this film reflects on the paranoia of the time.

Rating:
Summary: Chilling
Review: After watching a week of the History Channel's "The Men Who Killed Kennedy," someone recommended watching this movie. I tracked it down with the help of Amazon.com. Produced only ten years after, it splendidly parallels the JFK assassination. It was highly insightful, given the time it was produced. The story line is believable, the acting is superb, and although dated, sends a powerful message. Thanks, Warren, for having the courage to be who you are!!!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Conspiracy Thriller.
Review: Although a little dated and visually uneven in certain parts of the film, "The Parallax View" is solid thriller that trys to blend mind control and assassination ala "The Manchurian Candidate" (the later being a far superior film). Beatty is fine as the reporter trying to untangle the web of political assassinations and corporate subterfuge. Beatty is supported by a solid cast and a tight script. This film gets the viewer involved immediately and never lets go, and for most people, the ending will be a surprise. This taught thriller is well worth the rental or purchase price. Between 1 and 10, "The Parallax View" gets a very solid 8.

For those who think this is Beatty's only good film, or those who think Beatty can't act, obviously haven't seen Robert Altman's mesmerizing "McCabe & Mrs. Miller", one of the finest, most richly textured films of the era.

Rating:
Summary: More relevant than ever.
Review: Although produced over a quarter of a century ago, "The Parallax View" remains a chilling tale of the sunlit terror of our time.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best movies you've never seen!
Review: An excellent film even by today's standards. Very suspenseful story with scenes reminiscent of A Clockwork Orange and The Manchurian Candidate. A well-wrote story makes it easy for the audience to overlook the fact that Beatty cannot act. Outstanding work by the cinematographer with his stark photography contrasting the vivid black shadows with the rest of the scene. Very reminiscent of Noir film. A must for anyone who loves suspense and/or can appreciate a good film.

Rating:
Summary: A true look behind the scenes of how the world really works
Review: An intriguing movie that I can see over and over again for the more you see it and apply your then acquired knowledge to the world of today, you understand so much better how the world works, why certain people suddenly 'disappear', how careful you need to be of the MIB's. Although 25 years old, you can apply it to the corrupt world of today, for what's in that movie is taking place each and every day today. See it and think about it, and see what our society has turned into!

Rating:
Summary: Well-made But Beware
Review: As a thriller, "The Parallax View" is brilliantly, almost impeccably made, and all-too realistic; director Alan Pakula lays out the blueprints that show how a corporation can get away with assassinations, leaving a social outcast as their scapegoat. And in the process, he seems to corroborate all those rumours surrounding the JFK assassination. However, the cynical use of patriotic music, cold, calculated direction, (so cold we feel PAKULA's the one doing the assassinating at times) and a few unusually disturbing plot points--including a brainwashing sequence--make this one of the most depressing, difficult-to-watch films I've ever seen in my life (topped only by two other well-made classics: "Taxi Driver" and "Midnight Cowboy.") An interesting picture, but not for all tastes. And I wouldn't recommend repeated viewing.