Badmovies.org Forum

(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_94wGm5Prdv0/SZE7-YMzFZI/AAAAAAAAAiM/cWroxsmbato/s400/thieveshighwayqe6.jpg)

This has been referred to as "agri-noir" noir about land and crops! I guess it is. It's very similar to "They Drive by Night" which is not surprising as it comes from the same screenwriter. This is alot more noir-ish and also better than that though. Mainly because it doesn't have all the new deal era socialism and post Hayes code we are all on the up and up here extra effort taking away from the realism.

It's not perfect but has moments that are really excellent and in general is great. The director transforms the depot place where all the truckers bring the produce into some kind of dream where time stops and the only thing left to experience are booze, girls, and blue collar capitalism. and gangsters and car accidents.

The casting is slightly problematic: the male lead is good but maybe could have been a little more Bogart ish. The female lead, lets just say it, she is not conventionally pretty. She is an awfully good actress and is sexy in her own way but ...that hair!!  On the plus side, the partner of the lead guy who drives the other truck is fantastic as your flawed/ salt of the Earth supporting guy and the villain, man, the utter disdain you feel for the guy is incredible.  

There is a very strong working class vibe here, to the extent that you may feel like you are employed at this place and maybe it's not exactly escapism as people tend to want from movies but it's pretty awesome and not boring. 5/5