The Parallax View (1974)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Dan S

  
  A smart, engrossing paranoid political thriller concerning a journalist (Warren Beatty) who stumbles upon a conspiracy in which a senator who was murdered three years ago might actually have been offed by the government. While it does not possess the same character depth such as say,… More
  A smart, engrossing paranoid political thriller concerning a journalist (Warren Beatty) who stumbles upon a conspiracy in which a senator who was murdered three years ago might actually have been offed by the government. While it does not possess the same character depth such as say, "The Conversation", another paranoid political thriller, had, it still is exciting and watchable due to the twists it implements. The last fifteen minutes or so are particularly arresting, with sharp camera work which captures memorable shots, including its smart, cleverly pieced together grand finale, which doesn't disappoint.

• AJ V

  
  Maybe I need to see this movie again, but I thought it was really slow and boring. The story was pretty good, though. Overall, it's okay.

• Conner R

  
  Very slow paced and manipulative, but it's such a unique and powerful experience. Government conspiracies are either topics for very bad movies or very good movies, this is definitely one of the better. Warren Beatty plays such a great character and way of attaining the… More
  Very slow paced and manipulative, but it's such a unique and powerful experience. Government conspiracies are either topics for very bad movies or very good movies, this is definitely one of the better. Warren Beatty plays such a great character and way of attaining the plot's information. This is more a cautionary tale about digging too deep and how there are forces at work that we aren't even aware of. For a 70s premise, this must've been shocking at its release and still sort've is. To have a sense of powerlessness is truly scary.

• Michael G

  
  I presumed that The Parallax View was going to be another horribly dated and hokey dirty government thriller (and that car chase towards the beginning definitely leaned that way) where one little guy blows the doors off of a government conspiracy. If nothing else, The Parallax View… More
  I presumed that The Parallax View was going to be another horribly dated and hokey dirty government thriller (and that car chase towards the beginning definitely leaned that way) where one little guy blows the doors off of a government conspiracy. If nothing else, The Parallax View showed me how nice it is to be wrong sometimes. Warren Beatty's performance definitely has me understanding the whole Warren Beatty Thing (at least late 60s/early 70s era Beatty.) But for as subdued and enjoyable as Beatty's performance was, Alan J. Pakula's direction is the real standout here. Every shot from the lat 20 minutes of this movie is a work of art. And speaking of the last 20 minutes, they were so dark and menacing to the point where enjoying the movie almost became a chore. I know this movie's a year older than me, but where's it been all my life!?!

• Pierluigi P

  
  Terrifying conspiracy thriller that opens a new set of hypothesis in the most infamous and debated political crimes of the twentieth century in the united states. An obscure corporation and its dirty plots to prevent the rise of a different political force, fearing it would… More
  Terrifying conspiracy thriller that opens a new set of hypothesis in the most infamous and debated political crimes of the twentieth century in the united states. An obscure corporation and its dirty plots to prevent the rise of a different political force, fearing it would destabilize everything the big shots in power have worked for. Both Pakula and cinematographer Gordon Willis know how to heighten the sense of paranoia and anxiety. Michael Small's score is also effectively atmospheric.

• Dean M

  
  This is one of the dulliest political assassination movies I ever watched because the tale didn't make sense to me.

• Ken S

  
  Beatty's charm and Gordon Willis' cinematography elevate this highly influential film to great heights. Pakula's direction, and in particular his attention to humor. are sublime. A great watch, well worth your time.

• Stephen M

  
  A really great conspiracy thriller. Warren Beatty is an investigative journalist who thinks he's getting a scoop on a politcal asassination, unaware that he's being manipulated as the fall-guy.

• Danny R

  
  One of the definitive 70s paranoid thrillers, extremely well-crafted and acted. About the assassination of a leading U.S. senator, a journalist Joseph Frady played by Warren Beatty in a wonderful subtle and understated performance notices that the reporters who witnessed the murder… More
  One of the definitive 70s paranoid thrillers, extremely well-crafted and acted. About the assassination of a leading U.S. senator, a journalist Joseph Frady played by Warren Beatty in a wonderful subtle and understated performance notices that the reporters who witnessed the murder are inexplicably dying. Frady investigates and finds that the assassination was part of a conspiracy involving a shadowy therapy institute called the Parallax Corporation. Driven by curiosity, he infiltrates Parallax in an effort to uncover the truth, and discovers that Parallax deliberately recruits social misfits to train them as assassins, them they are dispatched by clients to kill prominent officials who threaten to get too close to the corporation's nefarious plans. Outstanding supporting performances from a stellar cast that includes, Hume Cronyn, William Daniels, Paula Prentiss, Anthony Zerbe, and Earl Hindman. The direction by the late Alan J. Pakula is flawless, and the distinctive cinematography by the great Gordon Willis is a triumph. A tense and effective film. Highly Recommended.

• matt s

  
  For once, I agree with Franklin! Just kidding, Cody, but he hit the nail on the head. I, too, felt something was missing, but Beatty and the shots kept me reeled in. Maybe it was just a little too slow-paced? But there are some scenes that provide intense thrills and the ending is a… More
  For once, I agree with Franklin! Just kidding, Cody, but he hit the nail on the head. I, too, felt something was missing, but Beatty and the shots kept me reeled in. Maybe it was just a little too slow-paced? But there are some scenes that provide intense thrills and the ending is a jawdropper.

• cody f

  
  Good but not great political conspiracy thriller. The acting is good, but something is missing from the script and I just didn't get sucked in. With that said this is one of the most interesting looking films I've ever seen. Pakula with Gordon Willis framed very odd,… More
  Good but not great political conspiracy thriller. The acting is good, but something is missing from the script and I just didn't get sucked in. With that said this is one of the most interesting looking films I've ever seen. Pakula with Gordon Willis framed very odd, complex, and original shots. The look is strange at times, but very fascinating. The style and the ending makes this a film worth watching.

• Anthony V

  
  Dead on target conspiracy movie. Credible, frightening, well acted, and directed.

• Christopher B

  
  I first saw this film on videotape and thought it was an amazing conspiracy film about the JFK assassination. After seeing the DVD I was even more impressed with Alan Pakula's direction (shots through office windows, drapes, and many wide shots of people talking in the distance)… More
  I first saw this film on videotape and thought it was an amazing conspiracy film about the JFK assassination. After seeing the DVD I was even more impressed with Alan Pakula's direction (shots through office windows, drapes, and many wide shots of people talking in the distance) which gives you the impression that a lot more is going on then what you are seeing. My favourite paranoid film, it shows you don't need to put in action scenes to have a film with a Conspiracy Theory.

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