Make someone watch this movie…. [without letting him watch the credits :o)]… throw in a hint that this movie was made by one of the most special film makers in the world… most won’t be able to take a first guess that this is a Spielberg movie… It does not have any of the traits that a usual Spielberg movie has.. No special effects, No extraterrestrial (or extinct) animals.. but it does have the Spielberg mark… with which he keeps all bums glued to their seats… Its got his style with which he creates a certain uneasiness among the viewers…
To take a realistic concept, like road rage and make a movie on it, using very few characters and little dialogues… but still something tense enough to make u hear your heartbeat… is something achievable only by this sensational director… Right from the beginning of the movie you know you have an extremely interesting something to look forward to…That’s Y he is STEVEN SPIELBERG … If there is something called minimalist moviemaking.. then this is the best example you could ever get…One of the films which proves Speilberg’s solid directorial ability.
The story is simple and has been told from the point of view of an average man.. David Mann…(Played adeptly by Dennis Weaver). He is driving his Plymouth across California to take care of his business… The drive makes him relax, he even forgets about the fight he had with his wife the previous day..… But he is unable to anticipate the trouble ahead of him in the form of a monstrous truck .. At first it just a huge vehicle in front of him which is moving at an annoyingly slow pace.. The trouble starts once he overtakes the vehicle… Soon he is running for his life…. From the monster!!!!!!!!.. The maverick director creates real tension and maintains it throughout the movie..
After a certain amount of chase, the truck runs him out of the way.. he takes a break in the nearby café… he picks up a fight with one of the people in the café..taking him for the truck driver… and is ultimately thrown out.. he resumes his drive only to find that the monster is again after his life!!!!
We don’t really get to see the truck driver.. Its only his hand and one side of his face….. The director instead, uses the truck itself as an enormously huge animal which is on its way to catch its prey.. The roaring engine, the oil covered body, everything almost gives the truck a face!!!!!!
The background music has been done by Bill Goldenberg… Its fantastic, as important as the characters.. The music director has used various sounds to fabulously reflect the tension of the movie..
This movie was Spielberg’s directorial debut. And looking by the way its been made, I am sure, cost wise it must be one of the cheapest movies ever made in Hollywood…
This is one of the greatest movies of all times… Irrespective of what movies you like… this is one movie no one should miss…