The Conversation

My professor, Bruno Louchourn, gave a presentation before a screening of The Conversation. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conversation)

This movie is by far one of my favorites. It's very different, in that, the film is a study into the psyche of a man who is slowly getting more and more involved in his work. His job is a surveillance technician and his newest assignment is to record a conversation between two individuals. As he finishes the recording he realizes that he no longer is creating the best sound rather he is listening to the actual conversation and decides he needs to intervene.

If you have not seen this film I highly recomend it. Make sure you set aside a chunk of time where you can sit down and just watch with nothing else on your mind. It moves a little slow if your expecting an action thriller. It's a film based on story, one of the things that many films have lost in today's world.

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One of the key elements to this film is the sound design. Walter Murch created a masterpiece in the world of sound design. Before this film was made there was no category of "Sound Designer" in film. He revolutionized the way we see movies by creating a aural world which before The Conversation had not been seen in a film. Most sound designs were flat and pulled you from the ability to suspend reality. This piece however, pulls the viewer into the film and makes you believe what Gene Hackman is believeing. You make every move he makes and take action every time he takes action. It's strange, you get so wrapped up into this film that the ending is such a shock.

This film is a must see!