Watch Klute

Klute is a 1971 neo-noir mystery thriller directed by Alan J. Pakula and starring Jane Fonda, Donald Sutherland, and Charles Cioffi. The film follows Bree Daniels (Fonda), a call girl in New York City, who becomes involved in a missing person case after a Pennsylvania businessman, Tom Gruneman, goes missing. John Klute (Sutherland), a small-town detective, is hired to investigate Gruneman’s disappearance, and his investigation leads him to Bree, who had briefly crossed paths with Gruneman before he went missing. As Klute begins his investigation, he is met with resistance from everyone involved in the case, including the police and Gruneman’s family. However, Bree is willing to help him, as she herself has been receiving mysterious and threatening phone calls. Together, Klute and Bree slowly unravel the mystery surrounding Gruneman’s disappearance, and in the process, they begin to develop a strong emotional bond. The film explores themes such as guilt, paranoia, and the objectification of women. Bree, a successful call girl, is shown to be struggling with her identity and her desire to leave the profession. Despite the danger that her involvement in the case poses to her, she is unable to resist the thrill of the investigation and begins to develop feelings for Klute. Klute, on the other hand, is portrayed as a reserved and methodical detective who is determined to solve the case, no matter the cost. As he delves deeper into the investigation, he uncovers a web of lies and secrets that ultimately lead him to the truth about Gruneman’s disappearance. In addition to the strong performances by Fonda and Sutherland, the film features a haunting score by Michael Small and stunning cinematography by Gordon Willis. The film’s use of natural light and its depiction of New York City’s seedy underbelly serve to create a sense of dread and unease throughout the film. Klute was critically acclaimed upon its release, with many praising Fonda’s performance and the film’s exploration of social issues. The film received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Fonda, and won one for Best Original Screenplay. Overall, Klute is a chilling and thought-provoking thriller that is still relevant today. Its themes of gender inequality and power dynamics continue to resonate, and its atmospheric cinematography and haunting score make it a must-see classic.