[ProllyInfamous]

For a second I thought this was the Mel Gibson movie where he proves a Conspiracy Theory (1997)... but Gene Hackman, post-Watergate — with an ensemble cast of eavesdroppers?! — tonight's movie, decided.

Thank you for your recommendation - it be crazy up in here (head, country, world).

[teachrdan]

One fan theory is that Gene Hackman plays the same character, decades later, in Enemy of the State (1998).

[ProllyInfamous]

I'll have to rewatch EofState, after tonights Conversation.

Fan theories are the only way I ever finished DFWallace's trifecta (2000 pages of gruelling chaos). Thank god for fans.

[jasomill]

Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, Palme d'Or at Cannes, three Oscar nominations including Best Picture (which, amusingly, it lost to The Godfather Part II).

Great movie.

[ProllyInfamous]

In all fairness, Part II is absolutely incredible storytelling.

Are you suggesting The Conversation is even better?! So excited for tonight's showtime — I'll make an updated reply here, tomorrow morning (with my viewreport).

[JKCalhoun]

I think they were simply musing as to how one Coppola film lost to another.

[ProllyInfamous]

[headsmack] gotcha, of course...

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Just finished The Conversation (Godfather II rightly won best film); although it features a neat plot twist, I cannot imagine this film being re-watchable.

Gene Hackman definitely acts his paranoid heart out, but his relationships with other characters are stuffy/forced. Too much dead air whenever he gets frustrated, almost as if there wasn't time to reshoot any scenes.

The cinematography/editing is fine, but the sound quality is terrible (presume it only won best soundtrack due to new sound warping/garbling techniques — to a modern listener, it's also sort of a cheap schtick). Particularly with female speakers, subtitles are necessary; but then certain dramatic points are wayyyy too loud.

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Thanks again for the rec — actually makes me less paranoid about the modern world... just gonna play some sax uncaringly =P

[rsync]

… also starring Harrison ford…

[ProllyInfamous]

I'm watching this right now... Ford is ssoo yyoouunngg!

It also has Frodo from Godfather.