It’s disheartening to see that the classic American political thrillers from the 1960s and 70s—films like 'The Manchurian Candidate,' which seemed to predict the JFK assassination, and 'All the President's Men,' offering a sense of resolution after Watergate—remain strikingly relevant. They capture a very real anxiety felt by people about those who hold power, specifically law enforcement and government officials in their own towns. The idea that anyone can shape their own future through effort and perseverance seems increasingly doubtful when it appears those in authority wield far more influence than most people realize or would like to admit. This was an unexpectedly well-crafted film, especially considering the remarkable period of work Coppola was experiencing, comparable to Hitchcock’s peak years in the late 1950s and early 60s, or Melville's a decade later. Hackman delivers outstanding performance—on par with his portrayal of Popeye Doyle in 'The French Connection' films—and it stands alongside other insightful explorations of surveillance, like De Palma's 'Blow Out' and Antonioni’s 'Blow-Up.' As someone living through these times, I can’t help but wish the film weren’t quite so pertinent.

Source on TMDB