#2 Film Noir...Goodbye baby.

[The film noir] portrayed a world I hadn't seen on film before.
                               -Martin Scorsese

This post will talk about Film Noir. Think about Film Noir as a shock value that exposes the inner motives and true identities of people.  These movies are so intense because we can relate to the choices that we sometimes have no option of doing and once we do act on a choice it is a spiral of bad juju. Sort of like the idea of Karma but once something ethically wrong or bad happens no good can fix it.  
The first time I can say I was exposed a Film Noir was the episode Revenge from Alfred Hitchcock Presents starting Vera Miles and Ralph Meeker. It really does put your life in perspective as far as having bad days go!
I really to recommend this episode for anyone to watch.

I want to talk about the quote that this post began with.  Scorcese spoke about the fascination of watching Film Noir because it was something completely different that really stood out to people.

With any Film Noir, there must be a femme fatale ....

 Phyllis Dietrichson was the femme fatale in Double Indeminity (1944). 

Femme fatale means deadly woman in French.  This character is presented as a lustful woman who captivates men and uses them for their personal, financial, etc. gain.  

 A femme fatale must be:

• smart
• seductive
• attractive
• stand out from the 'crowd'

and must have

• an agenda/goal

Phyllis captures the attention of am insurance salesman and in the process goes against his ethical and moral standards to help her kill her husband and receive money from his insurance policy.  Not only does Phyllis persuade Walter (the insurance salesman) to help her but he ends up coming up with the plan to fall from a train ensuring that the policy payout will double, thus the film title.

The use of shadows in Film Noir

the use of shadows is very important in a film noir.

• The use of shadows and lighting help create tension and restlessness.  

Scenes that takes place inside rooms, houses, trains, etc. have closed windows usually with blinds or something obscuring daylight.  

Outside scenes take place in the night.

The manipulation of light in Noir Films creates the disorientation of the narratives and feel of a film.

goodbye baby, until next post!