The Conversation

The Conversation is a film in which the sound design shows incredible insight into the mind of the protagonist, Harry Caul. For example, the scene in which Harry runs into the woman he suspects will be murdered in the elevator.

The elevator is crowded, adding to Harry Caul's issues of paranoia, claustrophobia, fear and dislike of people in general. We see Harry see the woman from behing, watch him watching her. It adds to the suspense and panic. The use of close ups on Harry heightens our knowledge of his fear.

The sound design of the scene adds even more to the fear and anxiety of it. As the woman enters there is whoosh sound which grows louder and louder as the scene goes on. It finally stops with a loud screech which is then revealed to be a sound bridge to the next scene of what Harry is listening to.

All of these things work together to give the scene an intense feel of fear, paranoia, anxiety, claustrophobia, and guilt.