Tuesday, April 17, 2018

Forgotten Movies: THE CONVERSATION



Boy, does this one hold up well. Of course, Gene Hackman makes the movie. He never steps out of his role as a surveillance expert once. And the movie is so gritty-not a single shot is glamorous, not a single wardrobe choice, set. Ciindy Williams is the least glamorous femme fatale ever. Every casting choice is brilliant.
What a genius Coppola was at this point of his career. And the music just works so well. This would have to be in my top ten movies.

The plot is, of course, that Hackman hears things on his tape that makes him fearful for the lives of the people he taped. An earlier case went badly and that haunts him.


11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like Hackman very much in this film. A really talented actor.

Steve Oerkfitz said...

Great movie. One of his best if not best role. Check out a underrated movie called Night Moves.

Jeff Meyerson said...

I meant to comment when you mentioned this yesterday. It has always been one of my favorites. We watched it again several years ago, and it really does hold up.

pattinase (abbott) said...

I saw Night Moves years ago. Mostly remember Melanie Griffiths in it too.

Jerry House said...

Loved this film.

Jeff Meyerson said...

A couple of years ago I realized we had never seen NIGHT MOVES, so I got a copy and remedied that. Yes, 17 year old Melanie Griffith made a memorable debut. Also, I agree with Harry's comment about Eric Rohmer's films.

pattinase (abbott) said...

Now I am going to have to find this one.

George said...

You're right about Gene Hackman. A very underrated actor!

Mathew Paust said...

Saw this when it came out. Need to see it again. Hackman's terrific.

Jennifer Croissant said...

I always remember the bit where Cindy Williams is talking about the old geezer kippin` on the park bench and saying that he was once someones baby surrounded by his aunts and uncles and looking forward to a great life, but 80 years later where are all his aunts and uncles now, that bit of dialogue was so profound and true, and, strickly speaking, it applys to every single human being in the entire world.

Jennifer Croissant said...

NIGHT MOVES is a cult-item par-excellence, Melanie Grittith looked so much like her mother (Tippi` Hedren) in those days.