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The core of the operation, Harry, winds their clandestine surveillance up as lunchtime draws to a close and Ann becomes momentarily suspicious. Returning home, to a brutally sparse apartment, the depths of his professional paranoia are indicated by the plethora of alarms and locks protecting his humble abode. All of this is for naught though since his land-lady has procured spare keys, as revealed by the surprise birthday present left for him. Interestingly, Harry is so set in his ways of solitude and privacy that he complains about her intrusion (neglecting to be remotely grateful). His only solace arrives at work, a den situated in a dark corner of an otherwise deserted warehouse. Here Harry tinkers with electronics and pieces together fragments. Today he's concentrating on yesterday's recordings, expertly splicing the separately obtained tapes.
Through the ambient noise the couple's chatter can be discerned, tantalising in the way it dips into inaudibility. As Harry diligently labours, the stolen words are coupled with visual flashbacks to the moments of speech. Originally this was just going to be another job of handing over the finished tape for cash and walking away. Unfortunately, a handful of critical words plunges Harry into an abyss of uncertainty. The background is that he once provided evidence which resulted in the murder of three innocents, an outcome which he is desperate to prevent occurring again (even if he says that it's nothing to do with him). When Martin Stett (Harrison Ford), from the anonymous corporation who hired Harry, behaves strangely the alarms ring out in Harry's mind. From here on he's on an inexorable collision course with the truth (whatever that is).
The Conversation is memorable in many ways but it's worth noting that the chilling and fear-ridden atmosphere produced is really first-rate. The topic of bugging is unpleasant enough, where anyone could be monitoring every utterance, but here a simple conversation is open to a wealth of interpretation. Harry believes that it forecasts a death sentence, the couple surveyed seem to be sharing a dangerous secret and the no-name employers aren't above the use of force (their offices are menacing in a blank, antiseptic way). The trick is that the actual conversation only reveals itself a little bit at at time, remaining ambiguous even when sonic clarity is achieved.
The heart of the film is Hackman, both because his role is central and due to his convincing portrayal. He slips inside the skin of Harry, an enigma who has sacrificed everything to be the best. Existing in a state of forced solitude, partly due to his line of work and partly because he can't open up to and trust anyone (even his Catholic priest). The supporting cast is also fine, stretching from the slimy, manipulative competitor Bernie Moran (Allen Garfield) to a possible romantic interest. The script ably backs up the investment made in these roles by being clever, self-consistent and quite surprising. The results are gripping, require deep concentration (a lot of the dialogue is rather quiet) and deal a hefty dose of tragedy.
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