Parallax View

 

Moviedrome Introduction

Film Details

Release Date: 1974

Director: Alan J. Pahula

Stars:

Warren Beatty as Joseph Frady

Plot Summary:

The story revolves around investigative journalist Joseph Frady, played by Warren Beatty, who becomes involved in unraveling a conspiracy surrounding the mysterious deaths of witnesses to a political assassination. After a senator is assassinated during a public event, several people who witnessed the incident die under suspicious circumstances. As Frady investigates, he discovers a shadowy organization known as the Parallax Corporation that seems to be manipulating individuals to carry out political assassinations.

Personal History

Previously undiscovered.

Current Review

This is a tough one to review. It's a conundrum. A Beautiful looking conundrum, with great wide screen cinematography from Gordon Willis.

A handy montage of images

 The film starts with a stunningly shot assassination on Seattle's Space Needle. But this degenerates into a Keystone cops chase, resulting in the shooter tumbling off the edge.

Think he's just gone

Warren Beatty, a jobbing journalist, witnesses the event - where the "Committee" (who frame the beginning and end of the film) declare there is "no conspiracy".

The Sinister Committee

Of course there is a conspiracy. A female colleague points out to Beatty that several of the witnesses have died in mysterious circumstances, before ending up on a slab herself.

Beatty heads off to a Hicksville State to investigate - and a serious, intelligent film falls into Dukes of Hazard territory, with bar fights and car chases. At times, I'm unsure what genre the films is aiming for.... seeming episodic and running through several styles. He heads off to sea to find more witnesses.

He discovers and infiltrates the Parallax Corporation, where a classic montage scene reminds of both the Ipcress File and A Clockwork Organge.

Why is Beatty - a journalist - so good at fighting and stealing cars? It's either complete rubbish or could it be that be that he is already under scrutiny from the Parallax Corporation to see if he has the skills?  But if they knew his background of investigative reporting, why would they let him join? 

Of it's time - right down to Americana is not all wholesome and a trademark 1970s bleak ending - its ambiguous and anti-government. In the age of Kennedy assassinations, one of the first films to question whether the Government are really on the side of the people.

Quirky Facts

• A parallax refers to the difference in perspective of an object when seen from different view points. An example would be how two people standing some distance apart would have a different view of the same tree. The idea of looking at the same issue with different view points is a recurring theme of this movie.
• Due to Beatty's availability, the films started shooting without a finished script. For me, this explains the disjointed and scenic feel of the film.  It jumps from one set piece to another and doesn't feel like a well constructed.

Quotes

Best dialogue is just before the (rubbish) fight scene.... providing a thematic "can the authorities be trusted" summary.

Deputy Red: [Frady's just ordered milk at a bar.] Can I buy you a drink, miss? You know there for a moment, I thought you were a man. But you aren't are you?
Joseph Frady: No, I'm a girl.
Deputy Red: Why don't you go right over there and tell those people that? Real loud.
[grabs Frady's jacket.]
Joseph Frady: Don't touch me unless you love me.


Sheriff L.D. Wicker: [Frady just beat up Deputy Red.] You just come over here and sit down. You're alright, son.
Joseph Frady: Listen, you wouldn't be offended if I called the police, would you?
Sheriff L.D. Wicker: No, but you don't have to call very far because Red's a deputy. And if that isn't good enough, I'm the sheriff.
Joseph Frady: You got some interesting ideas about law enforcement.
Sheriff L.D. Wicker: I could have stopped the fight. I would have if you'd have been gettin' whipped, but I dearly love seeing ol' Red get stomped.
Joseph Frady: He's your deputy?
Sheriff L.D. Wicker: Well, you see he's my sister's boy. Had to do something nice for her, he's so damn mean he can't get along with anybody else. He's dumb. He's a real turkey. You know, you move his plate five inches, that boy's gonna starve to death.

Sustenance

A "Whiskey and Water" was taken early in the film, but once again, January moderation stopped me from joining in.

Future Inspiration

There's a clutch of 1970s conspiracy films, including The Conversation, Chinatown and Capricorn One - which I am sure I will get around to.

The Cinematography of the film is the best thing and again, I am sure that I will be watching Willis's other 70s greats that include the Godfather Films.

But my future inspiration will be the Alan J Pakula "Paranoia Trilogy" - which includes this and Klute and All The Presidents Men.