The Collection: The Wages of Fear

#36 – The Wages of Fear (1953) – Dir. Henri-Georges Clouzot

There’s suspense, there’s tension, there’s thrills, and then there’s The Wages of Fear. Once you hear the plot of this foreign classic you’ll begin to understand why, but it’s the demoralizing and punishing lack of humanity that elevates this thrill ride into the realm of poignancy. But don’t let any of that fancy, highfalutin talk dissuade you, at the end of the day this is a film that I’m going to run out of ways to call suspenseful.

Makes Guns, Will Travel – The American

Anton Corbijn delivers a taut, meticulously crafted thriller with The American, bringing Martin Booth’s acclaimed novel, A Very Private Gentleman, to life. Corbijn’s stunning visuals combined with George Clooney‘s pitch-perfect performance make The American an exquisitely haunting character study. There have been comparisons to James Bond films, but The American is a bit more realistic and psychological than any James Bond film. Bond films are a bit heavier on style and action, lighter on substance, whereas with The American you get nice balance of both, plus a bit more suspense than a Bond film. Of course, the beautiful Bond-girl types don’t take away from The American either (nor does the R-rating).