Review of The Conversation (1974) by Mark S — 13 Apr 2011

This starts off pretty slow but it turns out that approach really works; seeing the lead character's pedantic devotion to his profession helps the audience accept how he can let himself get so drawn into the affairs surrounding his assignment, no matter at what cost the consequences are to his own life (or lack of it).

The conclusion is particularly strong and affecting, and this has to be among both Gene Hackman's and Francis Ford Coppola's best films.