audience. They would watch the scene without becoming really involved in it, and you would have no means of concentrating their attention on those particular details which make them feel what the characters are feeling.
By the use of cutting camera shots and sound into details, Coppola’s narrative certainly makes us feel the paranoia, suspicion, and isolation of the main protagonist, Harry Caul, played by Gene Hackman. The opening scene involves two lovers in Union Square in San Francisco. We are given a bird’s-eye view of the hustle and bustle of the Square, including pedestrians, office workers, a Mime, and street musician’s playing “When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along.” The Mime imitates passersby, focusing on our unsuspecting protagonist, Harry Caul. We find that Harry is part of a team of surveillance experts who are monitoring the actions and conversation of a young couple, Ann and Mark. Though we know nothing else about them, we willingly listen in to their conversation.
Using sound to draw us into the action and experience of the characters, we are treated to interdependent elements, including tape conversations, muffled voices, backgro
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