A Femme fatal a despaired Protagonist involved with a crime, these are some of the characteristics of Film Noir. Per the article "Notes on Film Noir" by Paul Shrader " Film noir is not a genre. It is not defined ...as are western and gangster genres, by conventions of setting and conflict, but rather by the more subtle qualities of tone and mood. A noir film is a film of death and darkness as was Double indemnity. From the beginning the mood is set by introducing a passive, despaired and ambiguous insurance agent by the name of Walter Huff looking to make some money by getting Mr. Nirdlinger to obtain insurance through the Automobile Club, his Spanish home with "red-blood drapes" and Spanish style interior decorating then comes along Phyllis Nirdlinger the beautiful , manipulating femme fatale "with a shape to set a man nuts", all the characteristics described in the article "Towards a definition of film Noir" by Raymond Borde and Etienne Chaumeton.
There are many primary moods in Double Indemnity that are described in the website- Filmsite like bleakness, pessimism, ambiguity, evil, guilt and lets not forget paranoia. Walter huff sitting in the dark in his apartment , sweat dripping down his face as he realizes what he has done....murder, all for a women he only met once. I was in major shock when I read how quickly Phyllis was able to convince and manipulate him to help her kill her husband. They meet once he sees her in pajamas next time hes over for tea, they kiss and then the scheming begins. Talk about love at first sight , or so he thinks it is. To me shes an opportunist and it so happened that walter came in at the right time as far as her plans go.
As I read I felt like the next chapter got more and more suspenseful, It felt like as they planned what seemed to be the perfect murder, I still couldn't help but feel like they were going to get caught and be "sunk " as Mr .Huff said. The narrative tone of Mr.huff was very complex, worrisome and full of gloom. I pictured everything in a low key light setting,shadows on the walls and wet pavements. Even the train scene I envisioned an old rundown train station. The scenes where Phyllis called Walter from a drugstore even seemed dark and gloomy, normally I envision a drugstore all lit up and bright like Rite Aid but this drugstore I pictured an old drugstore with bad lighting, one bottle of meds sitting on the shelf and an old man asleep at the cash register with a cigar hanging out of his mouth about to fall to the ground.
I love the story line and cant wait to read more, So far we have the oppressive atmosphere, sexy femme fatale the desperate protagonist, death and pretty soon the police getting involved as they suspect a murder. Mr. Norton and Keyes are already suspicious and are wanting to take matters in there own hands to find out what really happened, all signs point to doom, things are not looking to good for Mr.Huff and his lovely accomplice.
I would have to agree with you in how the novel was a bit fast paced with the start of the relationship between Walter and Phyllis. For example, I liked how you described Phyllis as an opportunist by how quickly it took her to reel in Walter and manipulate him in just two meetings together, but in the other hand, I think the author purposely did this to capture the allure and dominance of the femme fatale character and to establish her status as a force to be reckoned with. I too can’t wait to read the rest of the novel to see what happens in the end. If the novel continues its dark tone, it probably will end like most film noir stories in which femme fatale double-crosses the hero and both characters become doomed.
ReplyDeleteKelly, I felt the exact same way about how quickly and with such ease Mrs. Nirdlinger was able to pursuade Mr. Huff to commit murder. I feel as though she planted the seed and made him feel like it was his idea to aide in the crime. He became so enthusiastic a little too quickly. I also agree with how you pictured the scenes. I felt as if I was watching the story through film versus reading it on paper. I pictured it in a dark a gloomy setting as well. Even though they did commit a crime, I am nervous for them to get caught. In a way, I want them to get away with it.
ReplyDeleteI felt like you put so much detail in to this blog! I loved it. I also love the book. I thought it was going to be a drag and I was not looking forward to it but I really am interested in it. I feel like they got in to everything way too fast. I also feel like he was looking to get in to this murder business though. He basically knew what kind of situation it was the second he walked in to that house. He didnt leave and I think something in him wanted to see where he could get with it all. I also think that Mrs. Nirdlinger is a ditz. She seems so out of it and just the typically dumb witted woman that uses her looks to get everything she needs. Mr. huff seems to be regretting that he even got in to this entire situation, and I just cant wait to see the film!
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