Film Noir Then and Now

Double Indemnity

In the class we watched the film noir Double Indemnity (1944) and looked at the conventions shown throughout. The whole film appeared to be all set in the dark, this is created by the black and white cameras used with the film being created so long ago, back in 1944. The silhouettes caused by the dimmed lighting create a sense of suspense for the audience and sets off an enigma code as questions become recurrent.



It is a detective film with a strong stereotype, of a girl meets boy storyline, the costume is casual from that era although if people wore these clothes now these would be classed as well dressed, for example the dresses, and suits. The language is courteous, well-spoken and understandable as well as in a mono-tone tone.


Drive

Another film noir we have watched Drive (2011) this is a neo noir, the contrast between the standard 1940-50's film noir and the neo noir film is mainly the colour difference. Drive was produced in colour but the same conventions remained; the dimmed lighting, mysterious plot, night time scenes, the male and the femme fatale, character who the male falls in love with who is already married.










The obscure camera angles throughout highlight the film noir aspect of the film. The modern storyline of the actor who drives in films, particularly fast modern cars, he lives in a big city and works in a car garage on the side, it is a typical job for a male in the modern day. The costume is very casual and simplistic; nothing like the costume from the original film noir films of 1940-50's.