The Parallax View

The Parallax View

Year: 1974

Runtime: 102 min

Language: English

Director: Alan J. Pakula

DramaThriller

As presidential candidate Tom Powers falls victim to an assassin's bullet, reporter Joe Frady starts digging into a web of deceit. His editor becomes his next casualty, fueling suspicion that the omnipresent Parallax Corporation is pulling the strings. As Frady gets closer to the truth, he must evade the corporation's deadly grasp and stop their sinister plans before it's too late.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Parallax View (1974)
Explore the full timeline and setting of The Parallax View (1974). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Contemporary (1970s)

Set in the contemporary landscape of the 1970s, the film reflects a time of political unrest and skepticism towards government agencies. This era was marked by a growing awareness of conspiracies and the manipulation of public perception, paralleling the film's exploration of dark forces influencing political outcomes. It serves as a backdrop for the journalist's desperate search for truth amid a series of connected murders.

Location

Seattle, Oregon, Salmontail, Los Angeles, Atlanta

The movie travels through multiple locations, starting with the iconic Seattle Space Needle, a landmark known for its stunning views. Oregon serves as the setting for the emotional reconnection and foreshadowing of danger. Salmontail is a quaint town with a dark underbelly, hosting the investigation into a mysterious death, while Los Angeles and Atlanta serve as critical hubs in the storyline involving shadowy organizations and political intrigue.

🏙️ City 🌲 Nature 🔍 Investigation

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:14

Main Characters – The Parallax View (1974)
Meet the key characters of The Parallax View (1974), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lee Carter

A TV journalist whose traumatic experience witnessing a political assassination propels her into a dark landscape of fear and uncertainty. Carter's intelligence and courage are evident as she attempts to uncover the truth, but her vulnerability becomes a haunting trait that ultimately leads to her demise.

📰 Journalist ⚖️ Justice

Joe Frady

An investigative reporter driven by guilt and a sense of duty to uncover the truth behind the deaths tied to the senator's murder. Frady's tenacity and resourcefulness are key traits, but his journey also reveals his flaws and vulnerabilities as he battles external threats and internal demons.

🕵️ Reporter 🎭 Guilt

Sheriff Wicker

Initially portrayed as an ally, Sheriff Wicker's character quickly reveals a menacing side, showcasing the façade of trust in authority. Wicker embodies the duality of law enforcement, capable of compassion yet hardened by the corrupting influence of dark forces.

🚔 Authority 😈 Corruption

Austin Tucker

A witness to the senator's assassination, Tucker's survival against multiple attempts on his life emphasizes the peril surrounding those entangled in the plot. His knowledge of the events makes him a critical source of information, but his fate demonstrates the high stakes of the investigation.

👁️ Witness 🛡️ Survivor

Bill Rintels

Frady's editor who unwittingly becomes a casualty of the larger conspiracy, illustrating how those in journalism can be caught in dangerous crossfires. His character personifies the risks his profession entails as they pursue truth.

📰 Editor ⚡ Vulnerability

Jack Younger

A representative of the Parallax Corporation who embodies the nefarious side of corporate power. Younger’s skepticism of Frady's motivations provides a tense dynamic, illustrating the struggle for control within the narrative.

🕴️ Corporate 🧐 Suspicion

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:14

Major Themes – The Parallax View (1974)
Explore the central themes of The Parallax View (1974), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Conspiracy

The theme of conspiracy permeates the narrative as Lee Carter and Joe Frady uncover a sinister network that orchestrates assassinations. The film examines the implications of hidden power structures and the chilling lengths to which organizations will go to hide their actions. It raises questions about trust in government and the fragility of truth.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal is a central theme, showcased through the fates of supporting characters who fall victim to a malevolent plot. Frady grapples with the personal betrayal of not heeding Carter's fears, leading to her tragic demise. Furthermore, as Frady navigates through his investigations, he encounters deception at every turn, culminating in a heart-wrenching conclusion.

🔍 Obsession

Frady's obsession with uncovering the truth drives the narrative, leading him down a perilous path. His determination illustrates how far one will go when fueled by guilt and a quest for justice. Throughout the story, the line between sanity and paranoia blurs, illustrating the toll obsession takes on an individual.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:14

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