Comments on: The Wages of Henri-Georges Clouzot http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/ Analysis and reviews of films from around the world. Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:42:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Marc http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-133504 Marc Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:15:44 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-133504 I just stumbled on this discussion and felt compelled to weigh in as 'Wages' is one of those few films for me that phrases like "profound influence" were coined to describe. I've never really considered the first half of the film to drag though on reflection i can see how you might come to that conclusion. Certainly by contrast the 2nd and 3rd acts really wind up the tension. I've always thought of the the film as more about the harsh and sometimes brutal world of male bonding and the often illusionary persona of the macho male. The way weakness is sought out and punished. A kind of anti buddy film. Certainly the backdrop its set against portrays American exploits in a questionable light and there are many other countries who could have easily filled the role just as aptly.The hypocrisy implicit in the fact that the oil company is American given that the French are no Angels in the arena of exploitative historical activities is surely only a minor consideration. More importantly in the context of the film, the oil company is more of a mirror to the hard macho persona the men are all trying to embody as the film begins. The first act of the film is crucial to establishing the interpersonal dynamics between the various protagonists particularly Mario and Jo, that make the second half of the film so compelling. I just stumbled on this discussion and felt compelled to weigh in as ‘Wages’ is one of those few films for me that phrases like “profound influence” were coined to describe.
I’ve never really considered the first half of the film to drag though on reflection i can see how you might come to that conclusion. Certainly by contrast the 2nd and 3rd acts really wind up the tension. I’ve always thought of the the film as more about the harsh and sometimes brutal world of male bonding and the often illusionary persona of the macho male. The way weakness is sought out and punished. A kind of anti buddy film. Certainly the backdrop its set against portrays American exploits in a questionable light and there are many other countries who could have easily filled the role just as aptly.The hypocrisy implicit in the fact that the oil company is American given that the French are no Angels in the arena of exploitative historical activities is surely only a minor consideration. More importantly in the context of the film, the oil company is more of a mirror to the hard macho persona the men are all trying to embody as the film begins. The first act of the film is crucial to establishing the interpersonal dynamics between the various protagonists particularly Mario and Jo, that make the second half of the film so compelling.

]]> By: Rick http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-117443 Rick Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:06:40 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-117443 I'm not so much concerned about singling out the Yanks, God knows we generally deserve it, so much as the general hypocrisy on display, and especially the racism of that first hour. I think it a very condescending portrayal of the locals. Thanks for stopping by, Rand. Hope you do so again! I’m not so much concerned about singling out the Yanks, God knows we generally deserve it, so much as the general hypocrisy on display, and especially the racism of that first hour. I think it a very condescending portrayal of the locals.

Thanks for stopping by, Rand. Hope you do so again!

]]> By: Rand Careaga http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-117438 Rand Careaga Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:53:42 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-117438 Count me with those who liked the entire film. Certainly the first part could have covered the requisite stations of the plot in a quarter of the time, and the ending did seem a bit tacked-on (although I'm in sympathy with Joe Campanella above who sees it of a piece with the "nothing beyond the fence" exchange), but that first hour was marvelously atmospheric, and I don't think Clouzot was singling out the Yanks for special Gallic hauteur--he seems to have been universally trenchant in his films, contriving, for example, to offend both the occupying Germans and the Resistance with his portrayal of provincial life in the 1943 <i>Le Corbeau</i>. On first viewing a few years back I felt that <i>Wages of Fear</i> fell only a little short of perfection, and after watching it again this afternoon I am reinforced in that impression. Count me with those who liked the entire film. Certainly the first part could have covered the requisite stations of the plot in a quarter of the time, and the ending did seem a bit tacked-on (although I’m in sympathy with Joe Campanella above who sees it of a piece with the “nothing beyond the fence” exchange), but that first hour was marvelously atmospheric, and I don’t think Clouzot was singling out the Yanks for special Gallic hauteur–he seems to have been universally trenchant in his films, contriving, for example, to offend both the occupying Germans and the Resistance with his portrayal of provincial life in the 1943 Le Corbeau. On first viewing a few years back I felt that Wages of Fear fell only a little short of perfection, and after watching it again this afternoon I am reinforced in that impression.

]]> By: Joe Campanella http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-116790 Joe Campanella Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:12:31 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-116790 Well, I am not one for subtlety. Perhaps that's why I like it so.... Well, I am not one for subtlety. Perhaps that’s why I like it so….

]]> By: Greg http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-116704 Greg Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:39:04 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-116704 <i>He’s feeling indestructible. There’s even a line where Jo tells him so. He gets to a point where he is so overjoyed, feeling that he has beaten this journey that nobody else has survived. In line with his character he is plain and simple cocky.</i> Joe, I agree with that explanation but its presentation is so obvious. That's my problem with it. The movie is jabbing you in the side, and hard, and saying, "Get it? Did you get it? Huh? Huh? Did you get it?" I think it could've been handled better, with more subtlety, that's all. He’s feeling indestructible. There’s even a line where Jo tells him so. He gets to a point where he is so overjoyed, feeling that he has beaten this journey that nobody else has survived. In line with his character he is plain and simple cocky.

Joe, I agree with that explanation but its presentation is so obvious. That’s my problem with it. The movie is jabbing you in the side, and hard, and saying, “Get it? Did you get it? Huh? Huh? Did you get it?” I think it could’ve been handled better, with more subtlety, that’s all.

]]> By: Rick http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-116603 Rick Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:36:11 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-116603 Joe, nice analysis, and I have no doubt you are right, about the ending that is. It just didn't work for me, that's all. I think the first half is more unforgivable, though: it is patronizingly racist regarding the indigenous population on the one hand, and critical of the U.S. for exploiting said population on the other. Rather hypocritical, if you ask me, especially given France's brutal history of colonialism. Joe, nice analysis, and I have no doubt you are right, about the ending that is. It just didn’t work for me, that’s all.

I think the first half is more unforgivable, though: it is patronizingly racist regarding the indigenous population on the one hand, and critical of the U.S. for exploiting said population on the other. Rather hypocritical, if you ask me, especially given France’s brutal history of colonialism.

]]> By: Joe Campanella http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-116589 Joe Campanella Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:23:29 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-116589 IT'S NO JOKE! He's feeling indestructible. There's even a line where Jo tells him so. He gets to a point where he is so overjoyed, feeling that he has beaten this journey that nobody else has survived. In line with his character he is plain and simple cocky. He starts driving erratically, almost as an in your face to the truck. Laughing to himself. Realizing that he's finally going to escape the hell hole he's been living in. When he crashes, we understand, that the only real escape from this hell hole we call Earth is death. To me this movie is about the fear of there being nothing better than this life. Nothing to look forward to. Just pain and suffering and then an end. And it's horrifying. The conversation Jo and Mario have in the truck about the fence pretty much solidifies this theme that Clouzout was trying to convey. What was on the other side of the fence? "Nothing....nothing." Such a chilling, cold brilliant film. In regards to the beginning, I think you have to set up the desperation of these people because if they didn't you would just have a bunch of guys going on this death mission and you'd ask yourself, why are they doing that? Not to mention the cinematography and the editing in this picture are of the highest caliber. Jeez Rick. This is turning into a TOERIFC-like thread! I missed the last session. I guess I have to make up for it. Stupid Netflix...... IT’S NO JOKE! He’s feeling indestructible. There’s even a line where Jo tells him so. He gets to a point where he is so overjoyed, feeling that he has beaten this journey that nobody else has survived. In line with his character he is plain and simple cocky.

He starts driving erratically, almost as an in your face to the truck. Laughing to himself. Realizing that he’s finally going to escape the hell hole he’s been living in.

When he crashes, we understand, that the only real escape from this hell hole we call Earth is death.

To me this movie is about the fear of there being nothing better than this life. Nothing to look forward to. Just pain and suffering and then an end. And it’s horrifying.

The conversation Jo and Mario have in the truck about the fence pretty much solidifies this theme that Clouzout was trying to convey.

What was on the other side of the fence? “Nothing….nothing.” Such a chilling, cold brilliant film.

In regards to the beginning, I think you have to set up the desperation of these people because if they didn’t you would just have a bunch of guys going on this death mission and you’d ask yourself, why are they doing that?

Not to mention the cinematography and the editing in this picture are of the highest caliber.

Jeez Rick. This is turning into a TOERIFC-like thread! I missed the last session. I guess I have to make up for it. Stupid Netflix……

]]> By: Rick http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-116577 Rick Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:07:37 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-116577 Bill, you're absolutely right about the ending ... it is godawful. Perhaps that's the point -- it's a joke, maybe Clouzot was forced to do it to satisfy some fifties morality thing, as in if you are a bad person you get killed, or something. Or maybe it was in the book ... I saw it on Criterions new Blu-ray edition, which is very nice. I haven't seen "Le Courbeau" myself, but as I said was quite taken by "Diabolique." I haven't seen "Sorcerer" in ages, too long ago to comment. Bill, you’re absolutely right about the ending … it is godawful. Perhaps that’s the point — it’s a joke, maybe Clouzot was forced to do it to satisfy some fifties morality thing, as in if you are a bad person you get killed, or something. Or maybe it was in the book …

I saw it on Criterions new Blu-ray edition, which is very nice. I haven’t seen “Le Courbeau” myself, but as I said was quite taken by “Diabolique.”

I haven’t seen “Sorcerer” in ages, too long ago to comment.

]]> By: Rick http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-116575 Rick Wed, 24 Jun 2009 15:03:49 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-116575 troncha, greetings to you! Thanks for stopping by! troncha, greetings to you! Thanks for stopping by!

]]> By: bill r. http://coosacreek.org/mambo/2009/06/23/the-wages-of-henri-georges-clouzot/comment-page-1/#comment-116571 bill r. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:32:00 +0000 http://coosacreek.org/mambo/?p=3389#comment-116571 Yeah, I wasn't crazy about this. I don't remember all that much about it, because it's been ages (and I saw it on TV, with bright-white subtitles, many of which, in the first half, were lost against bright-white shirts), but that ending, which Greg referred to as "truck dancing"...God, it's just AWFUL! It's a joke, really, and I've been perplexed about the love shown for this film ever since. And I was also left cold by the one other Clouzot film I've seen, <b>Le Courbeau</b>. I also agree with Greg that <b>Sorcerer</b> is better. It's been a long time for me with that one, too, but I remember that one having all the white-knuckle suspense that I'd been told could be found in the Clouzot film. Yeah, I wasn’t crazy about this. I don’t remember all that much about it, because it’s been ages (and I saw it on TV, with bright-white subtitles, many of which, in the first half, were lost against bright-white shirts), but that ending, which Greg referred to as “truck dancing”…God, it’s just AWFUL! It’s a joke, really, and I’ve been perplexed about the love shown for this film ever since. And I was also left cold by the one other Clouzot film I’ve seen, Le Courbeau.

I also agree with Greg that Sorcerer is better. It’s been a long time for me with that one, too, but I remember that one having all the white-knuckle suspense that I’d been told could be found in the Clouzot film.

]]>