The Conversation

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME
Review: 'The Conversation' is one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made and is one of the best movie I have ever seen. This is Francis Ford Coopola at his absolute best, slowly and subtley building tension with each passing minute until your nerves cannot take it anymore. The story is about an electronics expert who is asked to tape record a conversation between a man and a women in a city park. To tell you anything more about the plot would be both a shame and a crime. Watch it alone and with the lights off. It will stay with you for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding work!
Review: In between Godfather films, Francis Ford Coppola made this masterpiece. There are many actors that would go on to bigger and better things. Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, John Cazale to name a few. But it's Gene Hackman's show, who gives his best performance since the French Connection. A classic!!

Rating:
Summary: "I'm not afraid of death, but I am afraid of murder."
Review: Francis Ford Coppola's "The Conversation" will not be confused with any of his "Godfather" films. This film is not epic in scope. It is instead a small, claustrophobic character study told without the cinematic operatics. It is also a film that leaves virtually no impression on the viewer after it is over.

Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is a surveillance expert with a tragic past. Hiring himself out for private jobs, he accepts an assignment to eavesdrop on two individuals walking together in public. The recording he produces is not perfect but it suggests that a murder might soon be taking place. Harry tries to ignore the fact that his recording might lead to dire consequences by telling himself he was just doing his job. However, his conscience continues to torment him and he becomes obsessed with solving the mystery behind the conversation he recorded.

"The Conversation" is fascinating for providing a behind-the-scenes look at the art of professional eavesdropping. Yet, it is tedious as a character study. The film does a great job of defining Harry Caul as a disaster of a man on both a professional and a personal level. However, watching Harry come apart at the seams is not exactly riveting entertainment despite Hackman's wonderful performance. The entire film simply feels out of balance because there is too much emphasis on character and not enough emphasis on story. Upon its release, "The Conversation" offered up some interesting commentary on the current orientation of the country shortly before Watergate, but it just feels over-simplistic and lacking content-wise when viewed today.