Movie : The Conversation

 

Harry Caul is a surveillance expert.  He’s for hire and gets you the goods on tape.  The best in the business.  He’s a loner and obsessed with his privacy.  Leaning towards paranoia. His one indulgence is playing his sax while he listens to jazz records.  Harry does some work for a client but the contents of the tapes has Harry questioning what to do.  Is he hearing a murder plot? Should he get involved? Should he take his payment and move on?  His past work led to a murder on another job. The memories of that and what he has heard on the new tapes has blown  Harry’s insular world wide open.  Will the bugger become the buggered? Jump into Harry Caul’s world and find out.

How the hell did CB stumble onto this great piece of film.  He was a Gene Hackman fan so that was the hook but this didn’t look like no French Connection.  It’s a slow build like Connection but has minimal action.  But it delivers the goods just the same.  Francis Ford Coppola creates Harry’s world for us and we are drawn into his every move. Coppola makes a one of a kind, unique film.  Nothing cheesy about it.  From the soundtrack to the performances everything hits the mark.  Gene Hackman as Harry Caul creates a memorable screen character.  He makes him a living, breathing person. We believe this guy is real.  Hackman is such a strong actor.  It’s his film.  Great support especially from John Cazzales (was this guy a treasure or what?)

Bracket some time and give this a watch.  I don’t think you will be disappointed.  CB was totally locked into this movie.  Great film experience. Hidden treasure. One question.  Where did Gene score that rain jacket?