Review of The Conversation (1974) by Chris J — 26 Mar 2009
A pleasant suprise. I was aware that the film was up for BEST PICTURE back in '74, but even that sorta street cred doesn't guarantee top quality entertainment (see also: Titanic, Ghost & The Godfather III). But Gene Hackman's portrayal as a freelance surveillance expert who slowly begins to suffocate mentally due to his hyper-paranoia is arguably his strongest performance to date (sorry, WELCOME TO MOOSEPORT).
But BEWARE: The pacing of this film is a definite slow burn. Away are any type of car chases or gun play expected in your common ho-hum genre thriller. Instead, Coppola opts for longer scenes that really allow us to sit in that same space and observe Hackman's detachment from a society he so quietly penetrates for a living.
Not to be "that guy", but the last scene is a perfect metaphor depicting the progressive mental state of .....ahhh, nevermind. Just check it out.
This review of The Conversation (1974) was written by Chris J on 26 Mar 2009.
The Conversation has generally received very positive reviews.
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