The Conversation
released 1974
www.ink2quill.com

“The Conversation” is a thriller, drama film produced by Fred Roos, Mona Skager and Francis Ford Coppola who also wrote and directed the film. It stars Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Frederic Forrest, Cindy Williams, Michael Higgins, Elizabeth MacRae, Teri Garr, Harrison Ford, Mark Wheeler, Robert Shields, Phoebe Alexander, Robert Duvall, George Dusheck, Gian-Carlo Coppola, Ramon Bieiri, Richard Hackman, George Meyer, Al Nalbandian, Ronald Kirk Stake, Erick Vinther and Billy Dee Williams.

The Conversation IMDb webpage

“The Conversation” is the story of Harry Caul, played by the late great Gene Hackman. Harry is a man whose profession goes by many names such as wiretapper, surveillance technician, bugger etc.. He lives in a world of secrecy and probably straddles the line of legality on nearly every project he is hired to do. But his is a job that is accepted even tolerated by society. His clients are wealthy people, powerful people, companies, mega companies even, governments and sometimes even shady organizations like the criminal variety of organizations.

The story begins when Harry is on a surveillance mission in Union Square, San Francisco. Him and his team watch this couple who are cautious but still don’t realize just how good Harry’s surveillance team working against them really is. The walk round and round the square talking and looking around but don’t realize that being in a public place and speaking in whispers is not protection enough against Harry and his team. At first glance it doesn’t seem like Harry has much on the couple but as the story progresses and Harry tweaks his equipment to hear their whispers we, the viewer, begin to realize that there is a lot more to this job than meets the eye.

This story takes place in the 1970s so the technology is analog and outdated by our standards. But that still does not keep it from being a great film. Harry is offered a bundle of cash to turn over all his tapes on the couple in question but he does not accept the offer. He fears the person hiring him will have the couple killed if he does. He does some digging of his own and finds murder and a complete upheaval of his way of life.

Harry is a recluse who has mastered the art of being invisible to society at large. He likes to play the saxophone to his jazz records but does not go to jazz concerts. He has a girlfriend that he likes but does not fully commit to. His has a very, very lonely life of work and taking precautions to maintain his secrecy. I would even say that he has taken the maintenance of his anonymity to an extreme. But as the story develops we see that this is actually very wise. This is something that people today would understand more than the people from the 1970s. For example, when Harry is at a surveillance technicians conventions we see how his peers revere him but also try to find out his secrets on how he was able to do certain jobs because Harry is a kind of legend in his profession. Then again, like I just said, we the viewer see the price he pays for his meticulous devotion to his trade.

Another important aspect to Harry is his faith. He is a believing Catholic who lives his life by a code of ethics. This means that when he sees someone in trouble or a serious crime like murder about to take place he does his best to stop it. But things aren’t what they seem and when Harry refuses to hand over his surveillance tapes his world as he knows it implodes and continues to implode at the end of the film. (Without giving away any spoilers). And for those people who think that Harry’s ethics and beliefs put him in danger, I would have to say that that is true. But I do believe that the changes that will come about in Harry’s life because of his moral courage will take him to a better place where his life will be improved. I see a girlfriend and wife in his future. And better things too. (Not to give away any spoilers). I even see him leaving the slimy world of surveillance and leading a normal life. I root for Harry because and trust that his moral compass will take him to a better life.

This movie should have had a well written sequel. Not the writing and production feces that so many sequels are. A good sequel to this film is a very possible thing to do. And if there is any doubt then send that project my way. Let me at it.

So, check out this dated gem. It’s a little analog history with a good story.

John Ink2Quill

I2Q Blogs / The Visual Medium 1974 / cazale / coppola / crime / drama / duvall / hackman / ink2quill / john / quill / thriller / williams /