It’s the middle film in the paranoia trilogy Pakula did from 1971-1976— all 3 films (klute, all the president’s men) are superb
Rightly so- this films comes up often when critics talk about the best political or paranoia films of all-time
After the breathtaking prologue- the forward dolly “warren commission”-like statement shot and finishing free-frame is wonderful
The eerie score certainly adds to the atmosphere
There’s a long brainwashing video sequence that certainly made me think of a clockwork orange
There is just one wonderful set piece after another ( space needle, gorge damn, the yacht, the parallax corporation building (the architecture here looks like it’s from Tati’s playtime))
Long silent chase sequence, followed by a Manchurian candidate and JFK inspired finale amongst yet another beautiful set piece… it’s a stunning ending with the long shot of the tables at the convention
Reverse-dolly warren commission finale shot is a wonderful bookend to the opening and a massive middle finger to the establishment
One of warren beatty’s best films as an actor in the lead
This is an underrated gem, finally got to it. The set pieces makes this more cinematic than All the Presidents Men which is a terrific film itself but even with my first viewing I think this is probably superior. Definitely need to see Klute again
[…] The Parallax View– Pakula […]
This is an underrated gem, finally got to it. The set pieces makes this more cinematic than All the Presidents Men which is a terrific film itself but even with my first viewing I think this is probably superior. Definitely need to see Klute again