The Conversation (1974) [PG]

A surveillance expert, Harry Caul, (Gene Hackman) is hired to track a young couple as they stroll through San Francisco's Union Square. He believes that they will be the murder victims of his employer, and he tries in his covert way to prevent the murder. The problem is that there is so much interference in the tape recordings that he can't really hear their whole conversation.

As a person who spies on others, Caul himself is very paranoid. He understands how easily privacy can be invaded. He keeps to himself, and of course, his personal relationships suffer. He usually keeps his conscience out of his work, but this case has made that almost impossible.

This is a very interesting thriller. The real conversation between the couple slowly unfolds. The purpose of Caul's employment becomes more solid. Caul's crisis grows.

One can say that in some ways, due to modern technology, the movie is dated. Although we are all aware of how much better today's equipment can do Caul's job, the underlying themes and moral issues still loom large today. As technology continues to improve, we all have to face the fact that there is less and less privacy. If you have ever googled yourself, you have seen just how much information about yourself is available to everyone. Imagine if someone was deliberately spying on you!

Hailed by many to be Coppola's greatest work, you will be drawn into this movie. The last scene will stick with you for a long time. Many people watch it a second time to really see how all the pieces fit together.

BTW: After you watch this movie, check out Enemy of the State. You will see how Enemy is almost a sort of sequel to The Conversation in many ways. That certainly influenced the casting of Hackman in the later movie instead of Sean Connery as originally planned.

DIRECTOR: Francis Ford Coppola. CAST: Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Frederic Forrest, Cindy Williams, Michael Higgins, Elizabeth MacRae, Teri Garr, Harrison Ford, Robert Shields.

AWARDS: Nominated for 3 Academy Awards. 11 other wins and 11 other nominations.

The Advocate (1994) [R]

Colin Firth, in one of his first non-television movies, plays a French lawyer who leaves 15th century Paris in search of a simpler lifestyle as a public defender in a rural province . However, country life is not as simple and innocent as he thought it would be. He finds himself dragged into political and amorous intrigues, including having to defend a pig!

In those days, animals that caused trouble, especially deaths, were tried in court, just as people were. Because, after all, as the public prosecutor says, "Anyone who knows animals knows there are good ones and bad ones." Early in the movie we see a man and his she-ass being prepared for hanging for having carnal knowledge of each other. However, the donkey is pardoned "without stain to her character." The man is then hanged!

This is a dark comedy. Originally titled The Hour of the Pig, the name was changed for American distribution and cut by 15 minutes. It is still an enjoyable movie, with laughter, romance, mystery, intrigue, gypsies, animals, and politics.
 
Colin Firth is charming, as usual, though it is interesting to see him as he is just starting to carry a movie as the star and romantic lead. You'll also enjoy his many hats!

DIRECTOR: Leslie Megahey.  CAST: Colin Firth, Amina Annabi, Jim Carter, Donald Pleasence, Ian Holm, Nicol Williamson, Lysette Anthony.