Review of The Wages of Fear (1953) by Tommy H — 27 Apr 2015

Crazy suspenseful. It's amazing how dangerous their job is. Every step of the way something goes wrong like they're cursed. I think the best part is when one truck is speeding up and the other one is behind it going so fast you think for sure they're going to crash. A little spoiler here, but I love how when a truck finally does blow up it happens suddenly and with no suspense. Brilliant. The movie finally gives you a chance to relax, and "boom!".

It's good that the movie is in different languages. The foreign languages and subtitles make the artsy dialogue easier to digest, while the english speaking parts make the Hollywood, Hitchcock-like action easier to adjust to once the men leave the town.

There's a lot of suspense in the quick pace and suggestive dialogue in the beginning. Going into the film knowing it was very suspenseful, maybe I saw some suspense that wasn't there. I guess I felt suspense anticipating the suspense. Regardless, the beginning is enjoyable. Quick timing, poetic dialogue and many eccentric characters. The town is very dramatic and sweet, and also a little cruel. Vera Clouzot is the most unusual, in a fun way. I think she might be masochistic or something. She's definitely the most interesting character Very passionate and playful, but not very smart. Imagine if she went along on the trip. I don't think it would have made it a better film because there would be added emotion, femininity and an overall less raw experience, but it would create a different kind of movie which would be equally interesting and probably more existential.