Sound in The Conversation

In the conversation the concept of sound is extremely important, not just because of the content of the film, but because of the effects it creates within it. Obviously sound is a main element in the story early on since Harry’s job is that of a professional bugger. It is a peculiar case when the film begins because we see a very lively scene that is immediately accompanied by lively music, matching the picture one would have in their head of the scene. We see the mime and the other various hoards of people while the music persists, even Harry comes into the scene. Then suddenly the weird noises start, and that sparks the viewer’s attention by making the conversation between the two targets unrecognizable. This sound foreshadows what would happen later on, because we come to find that the conversation should remain secret. In other scenes that wonderful piano music sets the mood, and carries with it the story, moving the people with its liveliness. It is a non-digetic sound but very beneficial throughout the movie. When we see Harry inside his apartment, the sound matches what is inside. His apartment is very elemental and lacks any personality. The lack of sound makes it easier to notice this. The piano music continues on, changing like a chameleon with the story, and this seems to be the only instrument that is played throughout, offering a lot in its simplistic nature. Such as when the tapes are stolen, the music becomes ominous and harsh. Sometimes it mixed in with clanging in the background, but at other times it offers the perfect melancholic backdrop for the scene at hand. The only other instrument played comes from on-screen, and that is his sax. It provides a comfort fro him as he plays it after stressful situations. As the story progresses, bits and pieces of the conversation are revealed, creating a patchwork of sound the viewer has to decipher. There are certain lines that don’t go in order. The most important of these is when Harry is able to muddle through the overwhelming amount of music in the tapes, and discovers the line “He’d kill us if he got the chance.” After this bit of sound discovery, the whole story changes. Harry’s life is thrown out in the open, and in his dream he sounds distant, his voice far away through the fog. The most important sound in the film is obviously the conversation. Once it is all  put together by the viewer the story intensifies. But this only makes the ending more shocking because they knew they were being heard an used it as an opportunity for murder. The simple sound of their voices caused death and grief for many.