Thieves' Highway

If there wasn't the connection "film-noir from life" contradictio in adjecto, it should be used precisely for this film. No seasoned hitmen or tough detectives in trench coats, but rather ordinary workers, truck drivers, and unscrupulous businesswomen. And apples. And money, which always comes first and forms the main underlying plot. Another oxymoron: film noir realism. America was until recently a country of (legal) immigrants from all over the world - here Greek modern-day foremen, Italian entrepreneurs not far from the typical Italian-American "family" business, and Polish fruit growers all come to life. They are all in a merciless struggle, but not using Tommy guns and instead tough price negotiations. Once again, it’s about money, for the sake of which people are capable of anything. P.S. The typical American happy ending is not, according to the erudite gentleman, whose commentary is heard on the second sound track on the DVD, anything other than a mandatory concession of the (here 20th century) studio to the infamous Hollywood "Hays Code" censorship. (03/06/2014)