The Parallax View is a tense political thriller directed by Alan J. Pakula, starring Warren Beatty. The film delves into themes of conspiracy, paranoia, and political assassination, making it a standout in the 1970s “paranoia trilogy” alongside All the President’s Men and Klute. With its gripping story and chilling tone, The Parallax View remains a classic example of 1970s cinema’s deep distrust of government institutions.
Detailed Summary
Introduction: Senator’s Assassination
The film opens with the assassination of a U.S. Senator during a public event atop the Space Needle in Seattle. The assassin is killed immediately, and the murder is quickly deemed the work of a lone gunman. This opening scene sets the stage for the film’s central theme of political conspiracy and cover-ups.
Joe Frady: The Rogue Journalist
Warren Beatty plays Joe Frady, a hard-nosed journalist with a reputation for being reckless and brash. Three years after the assassination, people connected to the event begin dying under mysterious circumstances. Frady’s ex-girlfriend, Lee Carter (played by Paula Prentiss), who was also present at the assassination, comes to him fearing for her life, convinced there’s a larger conspiracy at play. When she dies under suspicious circumstances, Frady decides to investigate on his own.
Uncovering the Parallax Corporation
Frady’s investigation leads him to the Parallax Corporation, a shadowy organization that seems to be recruiting sociopaths for nefarious purposes. As Frady goes deeper, he realizes that Parallax is not just involved in political assassinations, but they systematically manipulate people to carry out killings and then cover them up as lone gunmen acts.
Frady infiltrates Parallax by pretending to be a candidate for their recruitment program. This involves a disturbing series of psychological evaluations and a montage of images meant to brainwash potential assassins. This sequence is one of the film’s most chilling and visually arresting moments.
The Investigation Heats Up
As Frady investigates, he uncovers more evidence of Parallax’s role in assassinations across the country. His snooping puts him in danger, and as the Parallax Corporation realizes he is onto them, they try to eliminate him. The tension builds as Frady narrowly avoids being killed several times.
Frady’s Final Discovery
The film reaches its climax as Frady gets involved in another assassination plot. Realizing that Parallax is planning another high-profile political assassination, he tries to prevent it but ends up being framed as the assassin. In a masterfully executed final scene, Frady is killed by the Parallax operatives, and the event is, once again, blamed on a lone gunman.
Movie Ending
The movie ends with a chilling note of hopelessness. The investigation into the second assassination concludes that Frady was a deranged lone gunman, just as the Parallax Corporation intended. The film suggests that such conspiracies will continue, undetected and unchallenged by the public or authorities. The final shot, a haunting image of Frady’s lifeless body, reinforces the film’s bleak message about the omnipotent power of political corruption.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There is no post-credits scene, which was typical of films in the 1970s.
Type of Movie
The Parallax View is a political thriller with elements of conspiracy drama and psychological suspense. It fits squarely within the 1970s era of films that explore paranoia and distrust of government and institutional powers.
Cast
- Warren Beatty as Joe Frady
- Paula Prentiss as Lee Carter
- William Daniels as Austin Tucker
- Hume Cronyn as Bill Rintels
- Walter McGinn as Jack Younger
Film Music and Composer
The score for The Parallax View was composed by Michael Small, who is known for his work on other classic 1970s thrillers like Marathon Man and Klute. The music is minimalistic and haunting, often using dissonant sounds to build a sense of unease and tension throughout the film.
Filming Locations
- Seattle, Washington: The opening assassination scene takes place at the Space Needle, a landmark that emphasizes the public and very visual nature of the crime.
- Los Angeles, California: Many interior scenes, including those involving the Parallax Corporation’s headquarters, were shot in various locations across LA.
The use of recognizable American landmarks like the Space Needle adds to the film’s unsettling tone, grounding the conspiracy in familiar, real-world settings.
Awards and Nominations
The Parallax View did not receive major awards or nominations, but it has since been recognized as a key film in the genre of political thrillers and remains highly regarded for its craftsmanship and impact.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- The film was based on a novel by Loren Singer but deviates significantly from the book in terms of style and focus.
- Director Alan J. Pakula was particularly interested in exploring themes of paranoia and mistrust, a sentiment that resonated deeply during the post-Watergate era.
- The movie’s final assassination scene was shot with meticulous attention to detail, requiring multiple takes to get the right pacing and tension.
Inspirations and References
The film was adapted from Loren Singer’s novel, but Pakula’s direction and tone were heavily influenced by the political climate of the 1970s, particularly the Kennedy assassinations, the Watergate scandal, and growing public distrust of government. The theme of lone gunmen and political cover-ups strongly echoes the debates surrounding the Warren Commission and JFK’s assassination.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
There are no widely known alternate endings or deleted scenes for The Parallax View. The film’s ending is intentionally bleak and uncompromising, reflecting the director’s vision.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is based on Loren Singer’s 1970 novel, but the film takes a more cinematic and stylized approach to the story. The book spends more time exploring Frady’s background and the inner workings of the Parallax Corporation, while the film focuses on mood and atmosphere, favoring visual storytelling and ambiguity.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The assassination at the Space Needle.
- Frady’s infiltration of the Parallax Corporation and the chilling psychological testing montage.
- The final assassination and Frady’s death.
Iconic Quotes
- Lee Carter: “I don’t know how to explain it, but it’s like they’re killing us all.”
- Frady: “They killed her and now they’re gonna kill me, aren’t they?”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The psychological testing montage includes imagery that plays with American values like family, patriotism, and violence, subtly critiquing how these values are manipulated by larger forces.
- Parallax Corporation’s name itself is a play on the word “parallax,” a term that refers to the apparent shift in the position of an object when viewed from different perspectives—mirroring the film’s theme of differing truths and perspectives.
Trivia
- The film is the second entry in Pakula’s “paranoia trilogy,” preceded by Klute (1971) and followed by All the President’s Men (1976).
- Warren Beatty took a very hands-on approach to his role, contributing ideas to the script and character development.
- The film is often considered one of the most cynical political thrillers of the 1970s, noted for its pessimistic view of the American political system.
Why Watch?
If you’re a fan of conspiracy thrillers or movies that capture the paranoid mood of the 1970s, The Parallax View is essential viewing. Its themes remain relevant in today’s world of political intrigue and shadowy organizations. The film’s atmosphere, combined with Pakula’s direction and Warren Beatty’s strong performance, make it a gripping and unsettling experience.
Director’s Other Movies
- All the President’s Men (1976)
- Klute (1971)
- Sophie’s Choice (1982)
- Presumed Innocent (1990)
Recommended Films for Fans
- The Conversation (1974)
- All the President’s Men (1976)
- Three Days of the Condor (1975)
- The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
- Marathon Man (1976)
