The Conversation

Oh, Gene Hackman, you always look the exact same. Even in 1974, you still have the same, reliable look. And you know what? I like that. I like the consistency. The Conversation, a film by Francis Ford Coppola, is a quiet little thing, including lead star Hackman. There isn't a lot of talking, but there is a lot of listening. And watching. That is what works best for The Conversation. As a surveillance based thriller, tension is built by letting the audience guess at everything, questioning the truth of things just as Hackman's Harry Caul does. The film focuses on Caul and a single recording of a conversation between a man and a woman. The implications of this conversation, mostly on whether or not someone will be hurt, or killed, because of it, sends Caul into a spiral of paranoia. Luckily, The Conversation was made during the better of the Coppola years, or I could see this not working. That, or maybe I was expecting something a lot different than what I got. Either way, the film works for the most part, if not for feeling a little slow in places. But the ending was great and left room for interpretation. In a remake, which wouldn't be unheard of, could benefit from an upgrade in technology, but I fear a use of stupid-conspiracy would hurt the film. The subtle nature of this mystery is what makes the film work, and anymore would have made the whole experience a bit cheesy.

Genre - Thriller (3.5)

Screenplay (3)
Acting (4)
Production (3)
Directing (4)