THE CONVERSATION

In between Coppola's The Godfather (1972) and The Godfather Part II (1974) is when the brilliant director turned out this interesting work. The film stars Gene Hackman (Harry Caul) as a surveillance expert who is hired to record a conversation between two individuals and deliver the recorded conversation to an anonymous source. While the conversation he winds up recording sounds rather mundane and normal, as the film progresses Harry begins to become paranoid that the tape will be used to harm those whom he recorded. The film moves at a slow, though fitting pace that manages to build and keep the intensity of the situation throughout its length. The characters and plot are also both compelling and contain depth that isn't found in your typical modern day espionage thriller which rely more on action then the natural tension which such a situation produces. For all the positives I feel that the films leaves me wanting more. Since it moves at such a slow pace we are allowed to become immersed in the work that Harry is doing, yet still never really crack through the very hard shell of his character. Personally I feel that there is some fat in relations to the convention he goes to that could be trimmed off in exchange for more depth about the woman he is involved with or the curious one night stand he has. While the story the film is trying to tell is interesting, I am personally more compelled by the events in Harry's life that made him the person he is today. I give this film a 7/10, because I will always have a soft spot for a Gene Hackman film.

7/10

THE CONVERSATION TRAILER