April 22, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 17
Dangerous trek creates suspense in ‘Wages of Fear’
by Dennis Seuling One of the masters of serving up suspense and making it nearly unbearable is French director Henri-George Clouzot, who curdled the blood of audiences with “Diabolique” (1955), the film that inspired Alfred Hitchcock to make “Psycho.” Two years earlier, Clouzot made an extraordinary film that combined desperate men, a grimy Central American village, and dangerous cargo. This film, “Wages of Fear,” has just been released in Blu-ray by The Criterion Collection. The Southern Oil Company, which is unofficially in charge of everything in the impoverished village of Las Piedras, sends out a call for long-distance truck drivers. To 4-22-09 karen/janine earn $2,000 each, the drivers must transport highly volatile RestaurantBanner6x1 nitroglycerine, needed to put out an oil fire, across treacherous terrain. Through flashbacks and dialogue, the viewer 6 col x 1” learns why each of the four men is willing to risk his life for these wages. The early part of the film establishes the characters of the four drivers. With the exception of Yves Montand, the actors are not familiar faces, and this contributes to the film’s believability. Clouzot reveals so much about the perils of the journey that the viewer cannot wait for the 300-mile drive to begin. Clouzot fashions some amazing, memorable scenes as one obstacle after another impedes the trucks’ progress. Largely through visuals, with just bits of dialogue, Clouzot shows how the men’s determination transforms to uncertainty and then to fear. By then, it is impossible to turn back. The men must either perish in the jungle or forge ahead. “Wages of Fear” runs 147 minutes but it is so engrosstwo Peter Bogdanovich films, “The Last Picture Show” and “Nickelodeon,” both using the magic of movies in its plot. “The Last Picture Show” is a study of life in the small (continued on Crossword page)
State Line
375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
The Best Got Better!
Diner - Restaurant
201-529-3353
Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino
ing, it moves along briskly. The lead characters are not especially likable, yet the viewer cannot help but get lost in the hazardous slog through inhospitable terrain. The Blu-ray edition contains a restored High Definition digital transfer, video interviews with the film’s assistant director and Clouzot’s biographer, a 1988 video interview with Montand, a documentary about Clouzot, and a featurette about cuts made for ithe film’s American release. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has double-billed
Mario (Yves Montand) risks his life in ‘Wages of Fear.’
$ 00
On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only.
Off
1
$ 00
VT
On $20.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only.
Off
2
VT
�� ����������������� ���������
Authentic Cuisine from Spain
���������������������������������������������
OPEN 7 DAYS • LUNCH • DINNER • COCKTAILS
Have Mother’s Day Dinner with us
����������������������������
�����������������
������������
Available Sunday thru Thursday Noon-10pm, Friday until 5:30pm
�
(Served with Spanish Potatoes)
Choice of Appetizer Soup or Salad • Entree
��
��
���������� ������
No Substitutions • Both Parties Must Order From This Menu • Not Available On Holidays
Open 7 Days a Week • Mon-Thurs 11:30-10, Fri 11:30-11, Sat 12-11, Sun 12-10
������������������������������������������
#1 German Restaurant in Bergen & Passaic Counties!
���� �������� � ������� ������������������ ��� ��������������� ���� ������������������������
����������������������������
Come & Enjoy!
�
TAKE TIME OUT FOR LUNCH
NEW
KIRKERS
����������
��������������
��������������
������������ ����������
Businessmen’s & Senior Lunch Special
HAPPY HOUR �������������� �������������������
�������������������
��
Includes Soup or Salad, Vegetable, Choice of Entree and Coffee/Tea
Over 23 Entrees from $895 - $1395 •Served Noon - 3 pm Daily
������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������� ����������������������
Sauerbraten, Wienerchnitzel, “Wursts” Platter, Prime Rib, Stuffed Shrimp with Crabmeat Shore Thing - Broiled or Fried
TUESDAY SPECIAL Our Top “6” Entrees
Only $12.
Served 6-8pm
www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards Accepted • Open Mon - Sat • Noon til 11:30 pm
237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne • 973-427-7700
4-22-09 Ester/Janine LegendsSteakhouse3x6(4-22-09) 3x6