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.