Review of The Conversation (1974) by Stuart K — 25 Mar 2009

After the release of The Godfather (1972), Francis Ford Coppola was able to get a film he'd nurtured for nearly a decade made. A paranoid thriller which came out around the time when America was learning the horrible truths of the Watergate scandal.

It's an underrated and nearly-forgotten film, which is just as good as the Godfather films. Set in San Francisco, it has Harry Caul (Gene Hackman), a top surveillance expert, who is highly respected in his profession.

However, shortly after recording a coversation between a couple (Cindy Williams and Frederic Forrest), he tries to find out what the conversation between the two meant, and he becomes worried that they might be killed, and he goes out to try and prevent a tragedy from happening.

But his own personal anxieties and paranoia get in the way, and lead to an inevitable breakdown. This is a powerful and very realistic thriller. Hackman said this was his favourite film out of all the ones he's done, and he turns in a brilliant performance.

Coppola should try making more films like this, and the best thing about the film is the extraordinary, otherworldly sound design by Walter Murch.