Essays for Double Indemnity. Double Indemnity essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Double Indemnity by director Billy Wilder. The (Not-So) Good Girls of Film Noir; Scarface and Double Indemnity: The Corporate Loss of American Morality.
Double Indemnity (dir. Billy Wilder 1944) is a film about an insurance sales man Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) that falls for a highly sexual, scandalous woman, Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) who attempts to kill her husband. Even though Walter dismisses Phyllis attempt to purchase life insurance policy for her husband; he is unable to stay away from Phyllis for long. In the time they spend together, Walter and Phyllis try to hatch a fool-proof plan to get rid of her husband and get a double indemnity from the insurance company. Walter Neff boss Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson) is a man of skill and knowledge, and has been working in the same job for twenty-six years, and has always been able to tell who is a cheater and who is an honest man.
Barton ability to tell who is being honest by consulted the ‘little man’, and does so throughout the film. Walter later finds out that Phyllis has been involved in another ‘accident’ prior to her involvement with her husband Mr. Dietrichson (Tom Powers).When both Walter and Phyllis are about to be found out by Barton, Phyllis attempts to kill Walter and escape with the cash. The scene in which both Barton and Walter are together in the office and are later in the hallway in which the male characters Walter and Barton both find themselves together on the ground highlights and suggest gender noir in the film. The film Double Indemnity uses the stylistic qualities of film noir to illustrate the homo-erotic relationship between Barton and Walter with the use of lights, shadows, and oneiric qualities which also suggest and emphasize the importance power of gender in noir.Janey Place and Lowell Peterson article “Some Visual Motifs of Film Noir” establishes noir as a visual style and not a.
Middle of paper. The relationship with Phyllis was unstable and vile. After Phyllis is gone, the power over Walter is also gone, and he goes to ask for forgiveness for his love, Barton.
Walter makes this argument clear when he confesses to Barton “You know why you couldn’t figure this one Keyes, I’ll tell ya, it’s because the guy you were looking for was too close, right across the desk from you.” and Barton replies by saying “Closer than that Watler” In the final words Walter reveals how he truly feels about Barton “I love you too”. The relationship between Walter and Barton cannot be denied. The light, sound, and camera angle all imply a closeness of the male characters. The final shot has Walter trying to light a cigarette, in which Barton light it for him is the final act of relief, in which they both share together before the film end and the screen fades out to black.
Double Indemnity - Scene Analysis Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity is one of the best representatives of the film noir era in Hollywood as it contains all the main characteristics of the genre. The general darkness present throughout the movie is embodied in the plot which reveals the moral bankruptcy of the main characters. It is also present in the mise-en-scene choices such as the dark costumes and modest lighting with the great emphasis on shadows (Allyn 1978, p. The main character’s voice-over, another important film noir characteristic, brings this darkness to life and communicates it to the audience with brutal honesty. tags: Scene Analysis, Characters, Genres, Film AnalysisPowerful Essays 1353 words (3.9 pages). 'Chinatown' as Film Noir Films that are classified as being in the film noir genre all share some basic characteristics. There is generally a voice-over throughout the film in order to guide the audience's perceptions.
These movies also involve a crime and a detective who is trying to figure out the truth in the situation. This detective usually encounters a femme fatale who seduces him. However, the most distinctive feature of the film noir genre is the abundance of darkness. Roman Polanski's 1974 film, 'Chinatown', revolutionized the film noir genre. tags: Film Noir Chinator Analysis EssaysPowerful Essays 853 words (2.4 pages). Women in Film as Portrayed in the Movie, Double Indemnity Introduction American commercial cinema currently fuels many aspects of society.
In the twenty-first century it has become available, active force in the perception of gender relations in the United States. In the earlier part of this century filmmakers, as well as the public, did not necessarily view the female“media image” as an infrastructure of sex inequality. Today, contemporary audiences and critics have become preoccupied with the role the cinema plays in shaping social values, institutions, and attitudes. tags: Movie Film Essays Female StereotypePowerful Essays 1123 words (3.2 pages). The Key Conventions Of Film Noir In L.A Confidential L.A Confidential (Curtis Hanson, 1997) is a neo-noir film about a shooting at an all night diner and the three Las Angeles policeman who investigate in their own unique ways. It is based on the book by James Ellroy and after a very well adapted screenplay, won nine academy awards. It starred actors with big names like Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Danny Devito, which made it a very high earning film.
The Narrative or storyline is much the same as any other film noir movie. tags: essays research papersFree Essays 961 words (2.7 pages).
In Billy Wilder’s 1944 blockbuster hit Double Indemnity, a fast-talking insurance salesman named Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) visits the home of the seductive Phyllis Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) to renew the insurance policy on her husband’s automobiles. A romantic affair shortly ensues, and Walter is soon coerced by Phyllis into plotting a murder. Walter then comes up with an idea to receive double the amount Phyllis had previously intended, and they eventually deceive Mr. Dietrichson (Tom Powers) by making him sign a double indemnity insurance policy which in return states that the widow will receive full compensation on behalf of the bearer’s death.
tags: Literature ReviewPowerful Essays 2176 words (6.2 pages). Double Indemnity Before I start my paper I would just like to say that it was the best film yet. In this movie Walter Neff went through a huge transformation.
He went through one that would change his life dramatically. Walter Neff at the start of the film was an honest hard working man. He spent eleven years selling insurance and loved every minute of it for the most part. While Walter was going through his papers he must of noticed that Mr. Dietricson’s auto insurance had run out. After trying to contact him several times he decided to drive over to the house. tags: essays research papersFree Essays 462 words (1.3 pages).
Historical Analysis, Citizen Kane: Camera Movement Citizen Kane, directed by Orson Welles, was an exemplary and ground-breaking work. In narrative structure and film style, Welles challenged classical Hollywood conventions and opened a path for experimentation in the later 1940s. Gregg Toland’s deep-focus cinematography and Welles’ use of low-key lighting are often discussed aspects of the movie. True, these were areas of innovation, but when watching the movie in class I was particularly struck by the use of camera movement, or “mobile framing” as described in Film Art. tags: movies, films, cinematographyPowerful Essays 1687 words (4.8 pages). The gangster or mob film genre has captivated audiences for nearly one hundred years, dating back to the silent film era.
Introduced through films such as The Musketeers of Pig Alley (1912) and Underworld (1927), the genre has become increasingly complex in its development, evidenced by the sophisticated narratives and advanced cinematographic techniques of more recent films such as Road to Perdition (2002) and The Departed (2006). This paper will serve to analyze only two of these brilliant works, and will do so through a compare and contrast format. tags: Film Analysis Powerful Essays 1951 words (5.6 pages). An Analysis of the Movie, Double Impact The movie opens twenty-five years ago in Hong Kong. The parents of two twin babies, Alex and Chad, had borrowed money from Raymond Zhang and Nigel Griffith, two lead smugglers. They needed the money in order to build a tunnel between Hong Kong and the mainland.
After the tunnel was built and the money collected, Nigel Griffith and Raymond Zhang had a gang of hit men massacre Alex and Chad's family. Frank Avery, a friend of the family, races into the scene and finds the parents already dead.
tags: Movie Film EssaysPowerful Essays 733 words (2.1 pages). Cross Cultural Film Analysis - Gattaca Film Summary Vincent is destined to be a second class citizen, conceived naturally, rather than in a laboratory. He is born into a world which discriminates against genetics, rather than religion, race or gender. In order to gain access into the Gattaca Corporation and reach his dream of going to Titan he takes on the identity of Jerome Morrow, a person with ideal genes but crippled from an accident.
He uses Jerome’s hair, blood, urine and skin to pass all tests and is set to reach his lifelong desire when the mission director is murdered. tags: Film Movie AnalysisFree Essays 1219 words (3.5 pages).
Sorry, but copying text is forbidden on this website!Making movies or motion pictures is not just about pure creativity and talent. More often than not, making or shooting a film is more complicated and difficult, as it demands a lot of intellectual and physical efforts.
One of the most vital aspects in filmmaking is utilizing the formal elements of a movie (cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing and sound) in the most positive way that could uplift and justify the film’s overall sense and quality. This portion of filmmaking is significant and indispensable, as it provides broad impacts in the film’s core meaning and story.
” Double Indemnity: A Brief BackgroundDouble Indemnity is a 1944 film-noir, which is directed by Billy Wilder, a multitalented American artist, producer, screenwriter and filmmaker. It is his movie adaptation of the famous 1935 James Cain’s novella, which presents a unique story of love, greed and brutal violence.
The film showcases the artistic roles of numerous big names in both film and television, including Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray and Edward Robinson. Just like any other great classical Hollywood movies, Double Indemnity is convincingly a classic example of what a stylish Hollywood crime drama is.Thus, from a personal point of view, Wilder has done a sound interpretation with how movie elements should be utilized in order to achieve the most positive outcome in filmmaking as well as in rendering quality and meaning in his film. The Human Voice as an Element of Sound In a crime drama film like Double Indemnity, visual experience is not the only key to deliver a clear vision of brutality and murderous acts made by the main characters in the movie. The importance of sound element can not be disregarded, as it supports the visuals presentation of the film.Thus, from a personal point of view, Wilder has done a sound direction in integrating both of the visual and sound element to produce distinct and powerful portrayal of each significant character in the movie. For instance, human voice, as one of the essential sound elements in Wilder’s film, has been utilized to create an emphasis on the role of every character in the movie.
This type of sound element helps differentiate the characters in terms of their age, gender and designation in the story.One good example of this is the difference between the human voice of Lola (the victim’s daughter) and Phyllis (the greedy and lustful widow of the victim). From the sound of their voices, the audience can clearly understand their difference in terms of age and maturity. Lola’s voice sounds soft and innocent, which is perfect for a childlike character that she is portrays in the story.
On the other hand, Phyllis’ voice sounds lustful and powerful, which is precise to render meaning on her role as the evil character in the story.More so, the element of sound, through human voice, has been used in Wilder’s film to give a clear picture of the feelings or emotions of the characters in the story. In one scene wherein Neff (the insurance salesman), is selling an accident insurance to the victim, the sound human voice has helped depict a clear imagery of the emotional outburst of the victim.
The sound of human voice has helped showed the victim’s infuriated feelings and disappointment, as he talks in a higher tone and often yell among the characters around him. Through this approach, sound has helped create and deliver a clear imagery of emotion in every scene.Also, the element of sound has been utilized in this film in order to support the movements of the characters. Throughout the progress of events in the story, it is obvious that sound, through voice over, supports the movements and actions of the characters. For instance, Neff’s voice over in scenes wherein he is alone or busy walking the around their office is enough to provide sounds that would describe or clearly depict what he is thinking, which renders the appropriate meaning to his visual movement. Therefore, sound has also been utilized in this film in order to give meaning and life in every action that the characters are doing.Background Music and the Transition of Scenes Background music, as an element of sound, has been utilized in Wilder’s film in a constant basis. As the story progresses, it is obvious that the sound of background music has been utilized in an organized pattern, wherein it often plays during the transition from one scene to another and among the scene that are lively.
From a personal point of view, the thrilling sound of background music is one of Wilder’s approach to sustain the feeling of suspense throughout the progress of the story.The stimulating music from the background has really helped create a distinct sound that would give meaning and life in the overall genre of the story, which is that of suspenseful and crime drama. More so, the strategic use of background music has created a constant feeling of anticipation throughout the progress of the film that has captured the audience interest until the end. Sound Effect and the Meaning it produces Sound effect has been a crucial part of this movie, as it helps render meaning and precision in most scenes throughout the progression of events.For instance, the sound of screeching wheels in the very first scene provides meaning and broad understanding that Neff is in a hurry and eager to arrive in their office in order to deliver his confession to Keyes, regarding the alleged murder of Phyllis’ husband. Given that the visual representation of a car in full speed depicts some sort urgency, the sound effect of screeching wheels renders further meaning and purpose to Neff’s action, which is to get in there office as soon a possible.
Conclusion The element of sound is indeed indispensable in filmmaking.As for Wilder’s film “Double Indemnity,” sound has not only been used to create meaning in every scene that is being depicted in the screen. It is also utilized in order to render life and distinction in the role of each character in the story.
Likewise, the element of sound has been utilized in this film in order to support the movements and actions of the characters in best way that the audience could clearly understand and correlate the visuals that they see on the screen and the sound that they hear. Reference Double Indemnity 1944. Retrieved May 28, 2010, from imdb.