For The Film Experience, I took part in this week’s edition of “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” in which you pick your favorite shot from a chosen film. This edition covers Alan J. Pakula’s 1971 thriller Klute.

The initial bits of the film focuses on the surveillance of call girl Bree Daniels (Jane Fonda, in one of the best performances in film history) by John Klute (Donald Sutherland). John is looking for answers about his missing friend but feels like Bree might be in danger as well.

When meeting Bree in her apartment, we don’t know much about John or if Bree is actually in danger. John is all business despite Bree’s attempts at seduction. He rushes to the roof in an attempt to capture the person following her. As he reaches the roof, we see someone going down the escape with a slowly retracting hand.

Everything about this sequence is utterly captivating and cinematographer Gordon Willis is at the peak of his powers.

I cannot recommend the film enough if you have never seen it before. In addition to Fonda’s Oscar-winning performance, Sutherland is also impressive.

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Klute is currently streaming on HBO Max.
Feel free to play along yourself here or using the hashtag #BestShot.

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