The popularity of the film noir flick "Double Indemnity," can be clearly detected within the reading of any of the many film reviews that are out there. Whether you have been a film noir junkie since their debut, or you are new to this tone and mood, you are bound to be drawn in by the amazing storylines. A magnificent example of such an article is Notes on Film:Double Indemnity, by Thomas Caldwell.
Within the article, the author makes sure to point out the many "essential film noir ingredients," including the antihero, the femme fatale, and also the first person narrator. Film noir which translates into, "black film" in French, has many different elements that represent it, low-key lighting being one of which the author of Notes on Film:Double Indemnity explains. "Double Indemnity is an incredibly dark film with characters emerging from darkness, shadows obscuring the faces of the characters and a strong prevalence of Venetian blinds casting striped shadows over everything in shot." He goes on to explain, "...this use of shadows portrays the environment that the characters live in as dangerous and full of corruption, mystery, and violence, inhabited by people with dubious motives and ambiguous morals." The author creatively and clearly explains the themes that represent film noir to it's fullest. Reading the insights of the author, I felt even more compelled by the novel and movie than I already was. He accurately formulates the roles of Phyllis and Walter and disects the purpose of their roles in Double Indemnity. He beautifully explains Phyllis' character in his article by saying, "Barbara Stanwycks portrayal of Phyllis Dietrichson is still considered one of the all time great femme fatales as she perfectly embodies the seductress feigning helplessness who is gradually revealed to be manipulative and deadly." He also mentions that women were quite drawn to the idea of strong women, the "femme fatales" in these films, I can definitely see why the female audience felt that way. In some twisted way, the femme fatales seem too make women feel more empowered, they embody the characteristics that some women wished they carried.
All in all Thomas Caldwells article depicted Double Indemnity wonderfully. He appeared to be quite knowledgable on film noir and a fan at that. I absolutely enjoyed his article and believe a stranger to film noir or Double Indemnity would learn a great deal from the reading of Thomas Caldwells, Notes on Film: Double Indemnity.
I never thought of it in that way. Women drawn to strong women, that is. I guess that would be true because maybe during that era women were submissive and the femme fatale character was a way for them to feel liberated. Maybe in some way they lived through these character's and felt empowered.
ReplyDeleteHello Jennifer,
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