Klute Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cop from Nowheresville stalks a New York City call girl, who’s also an aspiring actress, and they fall in love while solving a murder that’s somehow connected to apricot selection.

🍿 Klute: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Disappearance

Tom Gruneman, a businessman from Tuscarora, Pennsylvania, disappears without a trace. His wife, Holly, and his boss, Peter Cable, hire John Klute, a friend and local detective, to investigate. The local police are stumped. The only lead is an obscene letter purportedly written by Tom to Bree Daniel, a New York City call girl.

Klute’s Investigation in NYC

Klute travels to New York City and sets up an apartment in Bree’s building. He taps her phone, hoping to gain information. Bree, an aspiring actress and model, is initially resistant to Klute’s presence. She views him with suspicion and disdain. She struggles with her dual life and the emotional toll it takes.

A Dangerous Connection

As Klute investigates, he and Bree begin a tense relationship. Bree reveals she’s been receiving strange calls and feels like she’s being watched. A past violent encounter with a client haunts her. They discover connections between Gruneman’s disappearance and other call girls. The investigation puts Bree in grave danger.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Bree Daniel (Jane Fonda): A complex and troubled New York City call girl and aspiring actress who becomes entangled in a missing person investigation.
• John Klute (Donald Sutherland): A small-town detective who travels to New York to investigate the disappearance of a friend.
• Peter Cable (Charles Cioffi): Tom Gruneman’s boss who hires John Klute and is secretly the tormented and violent killer.
• Frank Ligourin (Roy Scheider): Bree’s former pimp who is initially suspected of involvement in the events surrounding the missing person.
• Arlyn Page (Dorothy Tristan): A drug-addicted prostitute and former associate of Bree who becomes another victim in the unfolding mystery.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Bree Daniel: “Don’t feel bad about losing your virtue. I sort of knew you would. Everybody always does.” – Said to Klute, expressing her cynical view of relationships and sexuality.
• Bree Daniel: “I’m not a statistic, I’m a person.” – Expressing her desire to be seen as an individual, not just a stereotype of a call girl.
• Bree Daniel: “It’s like, you know, when you’re acting, you’re not really yourself. And when I’m with a guy, I’m not really myself either.” – Explaining the detachment she feels from her own identity.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2.5M
• Domestic Gross: $9.2M
• Worldwide Gross: $34,741

💥 Klute Reviews

Personal Review

I remember being captivated by Jane Fonda’s performance. The therapy scenes felt so real, like I was intruding on her private thoughts. Donald Sutherland’s quiet intensity was a perfect contrast. The movie left me feeling uneasy but also strangely moved by their unlikely connection.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir films”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven stories”
  • “Those who appreciate Jane Fonda’s acting”
  • “People looking for suspenseful thrillers”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “Alan J. Pakula creates a chilling atmosphere with a gripping story. Jane Fonda gives a career-defining performance that rightly earned her an Oscar. A must-see for fans of neo-noir thrillers.
• RogerEbert.com: “Klute excels in its subtle character development, particularly in Fonda’s portrayal of a complex and conflicted woman. While the plot is straightforward, it’s the emotional depth and understated tension that make this film a lasting classic.

Audience Reactions

Jane Fonda’s performance is mesmerizing and unforgettable.: Viewers consistently praise Fonda’s nuanced portrayal of Bree Daniel, highlighting her complexity and emotional depth.

The suspenseful atmosphere keeps you on the edge of your seat.: Many reviewers appreciated the film’s ability to create a sense of unease and tension throughout.

Overall Consensus: Klute is a highly regarded neo-noir thriller, primarily praised for Jane Fonda’s performance and its suspenseful atmosphere. While the plot might feel simple by today’s standards, the character-driven narrative and emotional depth make it a classic.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Actress)- 1972

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jane Fonda won the Best Actress Oscar for her role in Klute. She prepared extensively for the role, spending time with psychiatrists and researching the lives of sex workers.”
• “Director Alan J. Pakula was known for his use of shadows and realistic urban settings, which contributed significantly to the film’s atmosphere of paranoia and suspense. Cinematographer Gordon Willis, also known as ‘The Prince of Darkness,’ helped create the film’s signature look.”
• “The film’s score, composed by Michael Small, is notable for its use of unsettling sounds and minimalist orchestration, enhancing the film’s sense of unease.”

🖥️ How to Watch Klute?

Klute is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu for purchase or rental. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or cable providers. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Klute, you might like these similar films:

• The Conversation (1974): Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, it shares a theme of paranoia, surveillance, and the psychological toll it takes on the protagonist.
• Chinatown (1974): A neo-noir detective film that explores corruption, mystery, and the dark underbelly of a city, similar to Klute’s exploration of New York City.
• Taxi Driver (1976): Set in the gritty streets of New York, it shares a similar tone and explores the alienation and moral decay of urban life.
• L.A. Confidential (1997): A modern neo-noir that explores similar themes of crime, corruption, and moral ambiguity within a city, with complex characters and a compelling mystery.

🛒 Klute Related Products

• Klute (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A meticulously restored Blu-ray edition with insightful bonus features, including interviews and documentaries about the making of the film and its cultural impact.
• Klute Movie Poster Print: A high-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying in a home theater or living space.
• The Alan J. Pakula Collection: A box set featuring ‘Klute’ along with other iconic thrillers directed by Alan J. Pakula. It provides a comprehensive look into his cinematic vision and unique storytelling approach.
• Klute: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack: The complete soundtrack by Michael Small, a masterclass in creating tension and suspense through minimalist compositions and eerie soundscapes.

🎧 Soundtrack

Klute features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “We Gather Together” – performed by Jane Fonda
• “Klute – Main Theme” – performed by Michael Small

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Cinematography Style: Gordon Willis

Ever wondered how the iconic look of ‘Klute’ and other classics was achieved? This video breaks down the genius of cinematographer Gordon Willis – prepare to be amazed by his innovative techniques!

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