The Conversation (No Spoilers)

And here is my submission for the July LAMB MOTM. Check the LAMB on the last day of every month for a full list of participants' reviews for the MOTM.

Harry Caul runs his own surveillance business. Since he listens to others' conversations for a living, he has become a paranoid loner. After Harry is hired to record a chat between a man and a woman, he comes to realize that his employer may have murderous tendencies once given the tape of the conversation. Harry has a few skeletons in his closet, a past job the ended the lives of three people. He is determined not to go down that road again.

While I was watching the film, I thought to myself "This is pretty good." Now 24 hours later, I'm thinking "That was awesome!" I know The Conversation is hailed quite a bit for its technical aspects of directing, editing and sound, which is all fine and dandy, but I simply loved the story of the film, which is why I watch movies in the first place.

Our leading gent, Harry, brilliantly portrayed by Gene Hackman, is such a mystery that I'm still marvelling over at him. Why did he choose this lonely life? Was he always a loner, and that's why he went into spying on others? Or did spying on others turn him into a loner? Not that it really mattered, but he was so fascinating I wanted to know more. Therein lies the trouble since to know more of Harry would dilute the intrigue of the main character and cheapen the film altogether. Harry Caul didn't need some grand backstory like so many amateur screenwriters attempt to inject into the bland leading men of their modern day pseudo-thrillers, always giving away more than is necessary. Francis Ford Coppola gave me just enough on Harry and left me wanting more.

The film gains momentum at a slow pace, enough that it kept me interested, but not so much it exposed all of its tricks in the first act. The main focus is the conversation Harry records between the mysterious man and woman at the beginning. It is played over and over throughout the film, gaining new meaning and insight each time, not only for Harry but for the audience as well, until Harry is convinced he has put these two in mortal danger. Another side to Harry kicks in at this point. At first he admitted that he was only interested in getting a clear recording for his employer and that what the people were conversing over made no difference to him. Once he actually listens to the full conversation, he comprehends that he is responsible for the endangering these two and refuses to take part. After learning a small piece of Harry's past, his complete 180 makes perfect sense. And yet, Mr. Coppola has more intrigue and thrills in store. If I said any more, spoilers would be flying all over.

At first I wasn't sure if this would be my cup o' tea. Even while watching it, I could see where it had potential but wasn't quite connecting the way I wanted...that is until the film was finished and I had time to reflect. Everything I found to be so wonderful about the movie didn't hit me while viewing it, but I couldn't get it out of my head and I kept going over the bits and pieces of the story until I realized Coppola made one nice little thriller.

And Harrison Ford was such a hottie back then. Sorry...had to throw that in there.

Rating: