Sandwiched between two thick slabs of magnificent mobster films, Francis Ford Coppola served up a slice of lean, refined cinema in 1974 with “The Conversation.” Being the entry between “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II” in Coppola’s filmography and confidently holding its own is no small feat. It may seem like a case of middle child syndrome but if we’re playing favorites between the three, mine’s “The Conversation.”
Does the contained, conspiracy thriller starring the soft-spoken Gene Hackman get as much love and attention as its mafia epic siblings? No. Does it deserve it? Yes! But don’t only take my word for it; see for yourself. Newly restored in 4K for its 50th anniversary, “The Conversation” plays at The Varsity on September 24 and 28 for our Restoration Celebration series – featuring an exclusive intro from the director himself, only available in theaters.
“He’d kill us if he got the chance…”
Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is a freelance surveillance artist, hired to record a conversation between a man and woman in bustling downtown San Francisco. A master of his craft, Caul concocts an array of hidden microphones around the area, expertly capturing a single conversation – one that may have deadly consequences. Once aloof to his work, this particular recording entrances Harry as he becomes entangled in its contents and disturbed by its meanings. Throughout the film, each line of dialogue in the recorded conversation is dissected, reconstructed, and analyzed. As paranoia mounts, new meanings are formed. Is Harry’s interpretation correct? Is yours?
Gene Hackman plays the straight-laced, buttoned-up Harry Caul with hyper controlled coolness, although the actor has said it was his most challenging role but ultimately one of his favorites. An underlying sense of desperation and loneliness in Harry lingers as he wanders from scene to scene, trying to make sense of it all as the viewers try to make sense of him. His reserved demeanor throughout the film is juxtaposed with his behavior in the surprising ending – one of the best final film scenes of all time.
The supporting cast is small but well-rounded with standout performances from John Cazale and Allen Garfield. Lurking in the shadows is a baby-faced Harrison Ford in an unexpected role as the deceptive “Director’s Assistant,” plus a cameo role as “The Director” that I always forget about and surprises me every time I watch the film.
The film is meticulous, much like its main character, thanks in large part to the film’s editor, the legendary Walter Murch. Due to pressures from the studio, Coppola had to leave “The Conversation” production early in order to work on “The Godfather Part II.” Murch was left with a game of editing tetris on his hands, to piece together the roughly 70% of the script that was actually shot. Using his now iconic “blinking” method (see his book “In the Blink of an Eye”), Murch has talked at length about the visceral connection he created with the character Harry Caul during the editing process. This connection was crucial as both Hackman and Coppola said they could not relate to the character at all – which is fair, Harry gives us very little to work with in terms of relatability. Walter Murch, however, is a sound man, just like Harry. Having worked on films as a sound designer, “The Conversation” was the first film with Murch as Editor.
In an interview, Murch explained:
“There were many times while making the film that I had a sense of doubling. I’d be working on the film late at night, looking at an image of Harry Caul working on his tape, and there would be four hands, his and mine. Several times I was so tired and disoriented that Harry Caul would push the button to stop the tape and I would be amazed that the film didn’t also stop!”
Employing a sound man to edit a film about a sound man was a genius decision on Coppola’s part. Similarly, going against industry standards, much of the film’s signature haunting score was created before the film was shot, allowing the actors to listen to it before filming and get a sense of the essence of that particular scene. There’s lots to love about “The Conversation,” but for me it’s these choices Coppola made in the making of the film. And to think a near-perfect film has now somehow gotten better? Well, this restoration has me more jazzed up than Harry on his saxophone.
Any good film serves as a sort of mirror of the times in which it was made. A great film is when that reflection feels just as immediate fifty years later. There are lots of parallels to be drawn between the ideas and problems circulating then and now – two of which are unprecedented political outcomes and paranoia. In 1974, the sitting president resigned; in 2024, the sitting president will not run for reelection. In 1974, anonymous corporations hired experts to spy on and record people; in 2024, most adults have recording devices in their pockets at all times, sometimes being listened to by unknown corporations. Even the setting in “The Conversation” of San Francisco – with its looming buildings, ominous businesses, and unnamed “Directors” pulling the strings – presents a parallel to the tech hub it is today, home to major corporations like Facebook and Instagram (you know, the people sending you ads for that thing you were just talking about).
Draw your own parallels and meanings and imbibe in the bubbling paranoia of Harry Caul as “The Conversation” continues for The Varsity’s Restoration Celebration series – playing Tuesday, September 24 and Saturday, September 28. Plus, ahead of the release of his new film “Megalopolis,” Francis Ford Coppola recorded an exclusive introduction to the 50th anniversary restoration of “The Conversation,” only available in theaters. Varsity members can receive free admission to Restoration Celebration screenings when tickets are redeemed at the box office.
— Kasey Dunifer