The Conversation (1974)

Considering the excruciatingly slow pace of the film, it is unsurprising that this is never going to be a favourite film of mine. Coppola's overly suspicious film is very long and slightly boring, despite that, the film is interesting – its awkward life-like characters in a surreal society, which is supposedly lurking beneath the everyday. Even though ‘the’ conversation is repeated and repackaged throughout the film, the actual meaning behind the words would only be apparent to a severely paranoid individual. Fitting seeing as a major theme of the film is paranoia. Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is the best surveillance expert, renowned for various jobs which had varying if not disastrous results. Caul is trapped by his job – too cautious and nervous to commit to a serious and honest relationship with Amy, or even acknowledge that he owns a telephone. Furthermore, as the film continues we find that Caul is haunted by the effects of his work, and despite his work ethic not to care what the people say or what others are going to do with it – his fear of enabling another murder, cause him to involve him further with his clients. I’ll be honest; the surprise at the end of the film actually makes it bearable to sit through The Conversation in its entirety. If you’re willing to wait for the better parts of the film, the final scene of The Conversation being filled with the sardonic irony at the fact Harry Caul, surveillance expert, is being watched.