The Lorry
In this most talky and personal of films, director Marguerite Duras and actor Gerard Depardieu do an on-camera read-through of a movie script. Occasionally, the director comments about the characters or their motivations, and sometimes the actor does. That's all -- there is no action, there are no location shots, no one pretends to be anything else. The script itself tells about an encounter between a blank-slate of a woman hitchhiker, and a communist truck driver. As the reading progresses, Duras comments bitterly about the failed ideals of communism and the glorious revolution that will probably never happen.
Insights
Plot Summary
This observational documentary follows the daily lives of several British lorry drivers as they navigate the roads and challenges of their profession. It offers an intimate look at the work, the camaraderie, and the often-solitary existence of men behind the wheel. The film captures the rhythm of long-haul trucking in the late 1970s, focusing on the human element within the industrial landscape.
Critical Reception
"The Lorry" is highly regarded as a significant work of British social realism and observational documentary filmmaking. Critics praised its authentic portrayal of working-class life and its fly-on-the-wall approach, which allowed the subjects to speak for themselves. It's often cited for its unvarnished honesty and its ability to find dignity and character in everyday labor.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its authentic and unpretentious portrayal of working-class lives.
- Commended for its observational style, allowing subjects to reveal themselves.
- Seen as a valuable social document of British trucking in the 1970s.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce due to the film's niche documentary status, but where available, it is appreciated for its realistic depiction of the trucking profession and the lives of its drivers.
Fun Fact
Director Michael Grigsby was known for his patient, unobtrusive filmmaking style, often spending extended periods with his subjects to capture their lives authentically.
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