The novel Double Indemnity has different aspects that associates with film noir. The best quote that fits the first section of Double Indemnity is, “film noir is [crime] from within; from the point of view of the criminal.” The novel if from Walter Huff ‘s point of view. Walter Huff suggest to Phyllis the murder of her husband. She pretends to act innocent but, it’s like he can see right through her eyes. Phyllis shows up, at Huffs front door, She explains to Huff that she is willing to go with the plan he had said, earlier that day, She starts explaining to huff that she has never done it before since she’s been married. Phyllis explains to Huff “No, I did mean it. If I hadn’t meant it I wouldn’t have had to come down. But I do want to say that I won’t ever mean it again” ( Cain 15).
This other quote also gives the novel an association to film noir. “The police knows who they are, of course. They round them up, give them the water cure- and then they’re habeas corpuses into court and turned loose. Those guys don’t get convicted. They get put on the spot by others gangsters . oh yeah, they know their stuff, all right”(Cain 21). It gives it an association to film noir because it’s giving it a feel how police are being corrupt.
Walter is setting things and telling Phyllis how the things are going to work out so she won’t be the one getting accused of the murder, so if she gets questioned she will be free till the trial starts. Walter Huff explains to her “ if we want to get away with it, we’ve got to do it the way they do it, and not the way some punk up near San Francisco does it” (Cain 21) “It is the presence of crime which gives film noir its most constant characteristic. “The dynamism of violent death” is how Nino Frank evoked it, and the point is well taken. Blackmail, accusation, theft, or drug trafficking set the stage for a narrative where life and death are at stake. Few cycles in the entire history of film have put together in seven or eight years such a mix of foul play and murder. Sordidly or bizarrely, death always comes at the end of a tortured journey. In every sense of the word, a noir film is a film of deathWalter Huff is the main criminal of the novel and guiding Phyllis getting away with the perfect murder of her lovely husband Nirdlinger.
You definitely have it down as far as what is the themes and styles that make a great noir film. You seem to understand what the characteristics of film noir are and are able to compare and contrast ideas well. From what I read, you also have been understanding very well the story and are able to tell the reader what is happening.I like how you are able to interpret your own ideas and take your own conclusions from what you read and write detailed information on what your feelings are towards the characters.Keep up the good writing and you should definitely continue to express yourself the way you have been, you do it well.
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