Double Indemnity
Director: Billy Wilder
Starring: Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, Edward G. Robinson
I really like film noir. The Maltese Falcon is one of the best movies I've ever seen. I love hard boiled detective stories with dangerous dames, double crossing, and a large body count. This was one of the formative films for the genre and it was perfect.
The plot of this film deals with an insurance salesman's attempt at a "perfect murder" (reminded me of Crimes and Misdemeanors from last week). He goes in with a man's wife on an attempt to collect life insurance money from his murder. This sort of plot is been used again and again in films today. It was carried out in this classic with outstanding performances from the three main actors.
Some of the noir characteristics that I loved in this film:
1. Main character voice over narration that gives the whole picture a great literary feel. (in this movie, this takes the form of his recorded confession to the crime)
2. Quick, snappy dialogue that is full of fun jargon and great one liners
3. A saucy dame that is both beautiful and dangerous
4. Great use of music, shadows, and camera angles to build suspense and set the atmosphere
5. A heartbreaking end in the main character's relationship to the femme fatale
6. A "parlor room" scene in which the main character reveals his plot with a monologue
This film was so exciting and well executed. Can't wait to further my noir repertoire.
Lesson learned: Don't trust insurance salesmen.
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