Finished it. Its many superb and interesting qualities didn't quite coalesce -- perhaps because there were too many. Also the lead actor was weak* The sound-recording aspect compares unfavorably to The Conversation as a fully-realized plot device (allowing the protagonists are wildly different). I may need to re-watch in a different frame of mind.
* the character he played was weak, and callow. Still his performance was completely overshadowed by the rest of the cast, except possibly the kingpin, who was also more than a bit meh. I'm struggling to think of more charismatic and experienced actors cast as weak characters in other films.**
** Ah ha!
(nod) I just thought of one: Robert Pattinson in Cronenburg's adaptation of Cosmopolis
EDITED: 6 Mar 2020 15:36 by DSMITHHFX