The Conversation 1974

     Harry Caul lives in San Francisco and he's an electronic surveillance expert.  He owns and operates his own small business and he’s considered to be the best.  His latest job is to record a conversation between a man and a woman in San Francisco’s Union Square.  This is not easy because there are many people in the Square and the couple moves around with the crowd as they talk.  Caul is to supply “the director” a copy of their discussion and pictures of them talking.  When he goes to collect his money and fulfill the request, he is not allowed to give them to “the director.”  Caul leaves and he worries if he will be making a mistake to provide the tapes and pictures?

     There seems to be a lot going on and everything is secretive and tense.  But, there isn’t much going on after all!!  The scenes of the couple in the square are played several times.  There are scenes of Caul worrying about this job and scenes at a surveillance convention.  More of the action is in Caul’s mind than actually happening on the screen.  3* (This movie is OK)

113 min, Drama directed by Francis Ford Coppola with Gene Hackman, John Casale, Allen Garfield, Frederic Forrest, Cindy Williams, Michael Higgins, Ellizabeth MacRae, Teri Garr, Harrison Ford, Mark Wheeler.

Note:  Imdb 7.9 out of 10, 98% critic 90% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Roger Ebert 4*, Amazon 3.8* out of 5* with 353 reviews.

Special Note:  Filmed at Potrero Hill, Cathedral Hill, Financial District, Hayes Valley, Steiner Street, Stockton Street, Powell Street, Embarcadero Center, Post Street, Maritime Plaza, San Francisco, California.  In 1998, Gene Hackman plays a former NSA agent and he is again a surveillance expert in Enemy of the State.  Images of his character as a younger man are taken from this film.