The film that we shall talk about is argued as Francis Ford Coppola best work. Even Coppola thinks that this is his best work. One half of Mangala Talkies - Jateen - the one who does not wear bow tie also thinks this is Coppola's best work.
The film is: The Conversation.
The Conversation was released between 2 Godfather films. The Godfather and The Godfather Part II. It was a the part of purple patch that Coppola enjoyed in seventies for which I would given him a purple heart - if we could.
It is story of Harry Caul played by Gene Hackman. Harry Caul is electronic surveillance expert and runs a his own small surveillance business. He is an intensely private in both his personal and professional life. People around him are not particularly tolerant about it.
He undertakes an assignment to record a private discussion of a young couple meeting in crowded and noisy City Square. The arrangement with his client is to provide the audio recording and the photographs of the couple in return for payment. Harry believes that the lives of the young couple are in danger. Harry not only has to decide if he will turn the recording , but also if he will try and save the couple's lives using information from the recording. As Harry goes on a quest to find out what exactly is happening on this case, he finds himself in the middle of his worst nightmare.
I warn you at this point more plot points would be revealed in the discussion to follow.
The Conversation is written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Acting department is led by Gene Hackman and he is supported by John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Harrison Ford, Terri Garr and and Robert Duvall.
It was nominated for 3 Academy Awards and managed to win none of them. Best Picture. Best Writing of Original Screenplay and Best Sound.
It was released on 7 April 1974.
This is The Conversation.