Surveillance expert Harry Caul (Gene Hackman) is hired by a mysterious client's brusque aide (Harrison Ford) to tail a young couple, Mark (Frederic Forrest) and Ann (Cindy Williams). Tracking the pair through San Francisco's Union Square, Caul and his associate Stan (John Cazale) manage to record a cryptic conversation between them. Tormented by memories of a previous case that ended badly, Caul becomes obsessed with the resulting tape, trying to determine if the couple are in danger.
A man goes to a woman's apartment to sleep with her, whilst there he decides otherwise and leaves before anything happens.
A man and woman sleep together but it is not shown. The woman is seen taking off some of her clothes but the camera cuts away before too much is shown. The nudity is shown from very far away, but the women is completely naked.
Some kissing is shown throughout.
violence
A bloody aftermath of a fight is seen in a hotel room.
A bloody hand hits a pane of glass.
A dead body covered in blood is seen.
A man flushes a toilet and blood comes pouring out.
profanity
Mild language, some religious terms.
alcohol
Some drinking is seen at a party.
frightening
A couple of jump moments near the end of the film, when the main character searches a hotel room.
