Double Indemnity
Double Indemnity is a part of the great leagacy of Film Noir. With just one scene from the movie as evidence, it can be shown why this great film is described as noirish. The scene that will be eximaned is the one in which Walter Neff and Phyllis first meet. This scene has the foreshadowing of noir and hints at the destruction that will follow. Though the scene is shot on a bright and sun-filled day, shadows are lyinging just off screen waiting to flood in. Light conversations have dark underlying meanings. It seems as if fate had already written out the whole catastrophe as soon as these two met. There is evidence of the distinct noir style in the exchanges made between the two characters, in the mood and feeling of the scene, and in the intresting flashback narration style in which it is set up. Walter Neff, a mildly successful insurance agent drives up to the home of one of his clients. Mr. Dietrichson has allowed his auto insursnce policy to lapse, and this is just a routine visit, made by and ordinary man to an ordinary home. Neff is a man in control of his life at this point in the film. Though he is not married and has no children, he has a good career. He is seemingly set up to have a very content and uneventful life.