The Conversation | Gene Hackman, John Cazale

The Conversation | Gene Hackman, John Cazale | Paranoid Masterpiece

DVDs:

The Conversation

	The Conversation Gene Hackman, John Cazale Paramount, 2000 average customer review:based on 121 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Flawed brilliancy

In-between The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974), Francis Ford Coppola made this techno nerd favorite, a film he had wanted to make for years, but couldn't get the backing until The Godfather gave him the clout. Coppola has said this is the movie of his that he likes best, and Gene Hackman who stars as Harry Caul, the paranoid, nerdish surveillance snoop who suddenly develops a conscience, said it was his favorite role. In the case of Hackman, one can see why. He dominates the screen with a subtle touch and some serious acting skills. In the case of Coppola, well, I'm sure in his heart of hearts he knows he made at least three better films. And of course, "favorite" doesn't mean "best."

Because of some glaring plot holes and assorted implausibilities plus a slow pace, this film is not liked by some viewers. But it has a kind of haunting power, partly based on the studied camera work, and partly based on a chilling (and clever) story that explodes in Harry Caul's face and surprises the viewer. Also there is a nice underlying tension that Coppola develops and maintains that makes us want to know what is going on and to find out how it ends.

Cindy Williams of TV's "Laverne and Shirley" fame plays Ann, the wife of a Fortune 500 type exec who is being recorded as she has a conversation with a friend as they walk around Central Park. Harry Caul is doing the snooping. It isn't clear why the conversation is important, and even though we hear bits of it again and again, it seems innocent, although one notes, Cindy Williams isn't smiling. As the plot nears denouement, however, we and Harry Caul and the husband, who has hired Caul, realize something is being hidden behind the denotative meaning of the words that are spoken. Part of the intrigue is to catch the real meaning of what is said.

The plot holes? Well, it is unlikely that super secret Harry Caul would invite rival snoopers to his studio for a party. He is so paranoid about people knowing his business that he loses his girlfriend Amy (Teri Garr) because he won't give her his phone number or tell her where he lives. And the way he tears up his apartment at the end looking for the hidden bug is silly (but psychologically correct of course since he has gone full blown obsessive). Rationally speaking, he would be better off just moving. I understand that in the original script penned by Coppola, Harry owned the apartment building and that would explain why he chose to tear up his apartment looking for the recording device rather than move somewhere else. And think of the professional challenge!

Frankly I didn't mind any of the inconsistencies that viewers have pointed out. Yes, he would suspect that the pen put in his pocket by rival snooper Bernie Moran (Allen Garfield) might be a microphone, and, no, the hidden bug was NOT in his saxophone, but may have been in his eyeglasses (and anyway it doesn't matter). What I didn't like were the dream sequences that you couldn't separate from reality. I also didn't like the pristine clean toilet in room 773 that overflowed with bright red blood when he flushes it. Not likely, when you think about it.

But none of this matters. This is an intriguing film with a significant theme, namely that the invasion of privacy has consequences, which is as relevant today as it was then. Look for a young Harrison Ford as Martin Stett, the exec's assistant, and for Elizabeth MacRae as a caloric-challenged seductress. But by all means see this for Francis Ford Coppola, one of the greats. The Conversation is rated #169 at the Internet Movie Database. It's a must see for Coppola fans.

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Paranoid Masterpiece

Despite being released early in 1974 and failing at the box-office, "The Conversation" defied the odds by earning an Oscar nomination as Best Picture the same year that Coppola's more ballyhooed "The Godfather Part II" won the top prize and five other Oscars. Gene Hackman stars as Harry Caul, a surveillance expert who becomes emotionally involved in his latest assignment. Is the young couple (played by Frederic Forrest and future "Laverne and Shirley" star Cindy Williams) being targeted for murder by the executive (an unbilled Robert Duvall) and his assistant (a young and appropriately smug Harrison Ford)?

Having once worked a job that resulted in the death of an entire family, the haunted Caul oversteps his boundaries and begins to snoop into the case with shocking results. Hackman delivers one of his greatest, most understated performances as Caul, a man who lives a circumscribed life ruled by suspicion. He rides the bus, no doubt for fear that someone might have toyed with the brakes or planted a bomb under the hood.

"The Conversation" is a paranoid masterpiece that brilliantly captures the anxious mood of 1970's America.

Brian W. Fairbanks

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Francis Ford Coppola's Underrated Masterpiece.

You ask most of the world and they've heard of The Godfather DVD Collection (The Godfather/ The Godfather - Part II/ The Godfather - Part III) and Apocalypse Now - The Complete Dossier (Two-Disc Special Collector's Edition), but not many of them have heard of this brilliant mastepiece. Made around the time Coppola did those movies.

Gene Hackman plays Harry Caul, a paranoid surviellance expert who runs his own company. After hearing a dubious message in the tape he goes all out to understand exactly what he's hearing.

This is brilliant filmmaking. Francis Ford Coppola scored with hits The Godfather and The Godfather II and this is just as worthy. One of the best and most underrated movies ever.

The DVD features two commentaries, one with Francis Ford Coppola, and one with editor Walter Murch. It also features a very nice Making OF featurette. A definite Must Have.

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Classic(No Respect for Mr Hackman?

This is and will continue to be a classic by the hature of it's subject.
Man has a paranoia gene that runs deeper than any of us would like to admit.
My reference to No respect fr Gene Hackman comes from the actor list attached to this movie.
Usually the main character rates a name check,but to not be even mentioned would be enough to give me paranoia.
Ian.

A classic

This is a wonderful early work by Francis Ford Coppola. Just think; Cindy Williams could have been a star.

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