Textual Analysis 1

Double Indemnity, 1944, Billy Wilder

When looking at the opening scene of Double Indemnity it is a-typical to what Film Noir is all about. It instantly shows the contrast of light and dark. Set in the night downtown in the heart of Los Angeles we see a driver speeding through the streets and running a red light. The theme of corruption is already exploited 60 seconds into the film.

A low angle shot shows Walter Neff walking into his office, iron railings surround him connotating his entrapment, also his figure is duplicated by shadows whoch also connotates his dual personality and the light and dark side of him.


He then sits down in his office and starts talking into a Dictaphone machine, which becomes the story of the film and is told in a flashback. Flashbacks were commonly used within Film Noir and were used as a narrative structure device, and Double Indemnity is a example of this.

A dissolve (another convention within Film Noir) takes us to the past where Walter Neff first meets the sultry Phyllis Dietrichson. When driving up to her home you can instantly see the difference in the mise en scène. Its set during the day and the setting is exposed to bright light, connotating the fact that he has not yet entered dangerous waters. He is still Walter Neff the insurance man. This is a great example of how Film Noir uses light and dark to manipulate the mood and tone of the narrative.

A low angle interior shot is used to reveal Phyllis Dietrichson. This use of shot makes her introduction powerful and is used to connotate the Femme Fatale side of her. With the use of costume her naked body is covered in nothing less than a towel revealing her flesh. This links back to the Femme Fatale character and how she uses her beauty and sexual persona to capture Neff.

A medium close up shows the iron railing banister over her frame, above i mentioned how Film Noir uses shadows and objects to reflect upon a character to capture the mood, tone and the character. The iron railing has spiral interwined and connotates the disorientation of her character and how she manipulates Walter Neff into commiting the murder of her husband.

This shot is a-typical of Film Noir. The Venetian Blinds reflect into the room casting shadows on screen. This connotates how he is now trapped as he has entered her trap.

By looking at Double Indemnity it is a great example of how Film Noir uses specific visual stylistics and theamatics to express the mood and tone of the narrative and the characters involved.