Film Noir & “Double Indemnity”

Response to Question #2:

Film noir was developed by French film critics to describe 'dark', downbeat and black themes of many American crime and detective films released in France following World War II (I guess film class came in handy, huh?). Typically, a film noir story was commonly developed around a cynical, hard-hearted male character who encountered a beautiful, but promiscuous and seductive female. This female character would use her feminine ruses/trickery and sexuality to manipulate the guy into becoming the fall guy - often following a murder. Consequently, these general guidelines of a film noir production are explicitly present throughout the plot of the film “Double Indemnity”.

Phyllis is the main female character who ends up seducing the main character, Walter. Through her convincing manipulative skills and constant seduction techniques, she convinces him to help her kill her husband in hopes of obtaining some extra money by playing the insurance company. She manipulates him by telling him that she’s in love with him, but she never really is. Phyllis just uses Walter to get what she wants, and to run away with another man. The plot alone fits perfectly into the characteristics that suit a film noir film. Almost every scene revolves around the centralized theme of darkness and depression (whether that’s developed through the character traits listed above, or their actions that lead to a depressing mood – murder/death scenes).

The film is set to take place in Los Angeles, California which is a very interesting choice for a dark/depressing setting. Typically, Los Angeles is a very sunny and bright place to be, completely contrast of film noir characteristics; however, the crew made it work. To make the film a film noir production in such a contradictory location, the crew chose to shoot the entire film using low-key lighting. This means that the film was shot without the use of natural light at all, and was rather shot with very little, weak lighting techniques to add to the dark mood. This can be seen explicitly considering that the majority of the film was shot at night, with little to no light. In addition, it was interesting to note how the lighting got even darker and more dramatic in certain scenes (specifically when Walter murders Mr. Dietrichson). The director surely stayed true to his knowledge of what makes a true film noir movie.

Macbeth's Recommendations

Macbeth increasingly developed into an ambitious, “power-hungry” ruler that would do whatever it would take to have complete and utter dominance over his people. Over the months during which he was ruling (and subsequently murdering people left and right), Macbeth was also spending his long nights curled up in bed watching some of his favorite shows on Netflix. After his death, Macbeth’s Netflix account was investigated in search of possible motives connecting to his harsh motives of ruling. Upon his ‘recommended’ section were the following titles: Dexter, Criminal Minds, Breaking Bad, and Sons of Anarchy.

Macbeth’s Queue:

 

Dexter

Dexter is a television show about a detective’s secret second life as a serial killer. The main character, Dexter (who would’ve guessed?), hunts down criminals who have slipped through the cracks of the justice system, and treats them a lesson personally. This show is a great example of the Macbeth motif, “Fair is foul and foul is fair” because Dexter exemplifies Macbeth’s concept of hiding behind masks. Dexter pretends to be someone he is not, so those he is trying to protect around him do not become haunted with the idea that he is actually a murderer. This is much like the situation that Macbeth is in during the play, as he must hide the true him from those around him, and shield the fact that he was the one who murdered King Duncan. This show would help Macbeth relate to the inner-conflict he has with himself and help him better understand the repercussions of the familiar concept of appearance vs. reality.

Criminal Minds

Criminal Minds is police-procedural television program that follows a team of profilers from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). The BAU is part of the FBI National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. The show differs from many other dramas by focusing on profiling the criminal, rather than the crime itself. I think that Macbeth would love this show because seeing some of these criminals investigated could have a personal connection with the crimes that Macbeth committed himself. Hearing murderers confess their motives and drives behind their killings could allow for Macbeth to understand the true meaning behind his ambition to kill and have complete power. Being that the show focuses on going into the minds of criminals, Macbeth could develop a clearer consensus on what is going on in his own fuzzy, criminal mind.

Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is a television show about an ordinary chemistry teacher who finds out he has cancer, and chooses to take extreme drastic measures to save himself and those he loves. Now, while the developed plot isn’t completely similar to Macbeth’s life situation, the main idea of the story could be argued to be. Walt, the main character in Breaking Bad, starts out just like any other-ordinary man, but ultimately develops more and more into a criminal because he is told of a “prophecy” that states he will die soon of cancer. Macbeth is identical to this in the sense that he started the play as an ordinary soldier, but is then told of a prophecy of his future and commits more and more crimes, with the likewise indent of protecting himself and those around him.

Sons of Anarchy

Sons of Anarchy is a crime drama television series about the lives of a close outlaw motorcycle club operating in California's Central Valley. The show centers on Jackson "Jax" Teller, initially the vice president of the club, who begins questioning the club and himself. Each season involves two parallel plotlines that intertwine and overlap: the first centers on the personal life of Jax and his immediate family while the second deals with SAMCRO (Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, Redwood Original). SAMCRO is involved with gun-running throughout the western United States and deals with many rival gangs and local politicians and authorities. As Vice-President and then President of the motorcycle club, Jax struggles with the dealings of SAMCRO, while still trying to keep up with his personal life. Macbeth would feel connected to this show because the protagonist is much like himself. Jax ultimately questions his role in his ‘criminal’ club vs. the safety of his family, much like Macbeth eventually starts to question his crimes and feel sympathy for the ones he loves around him. This show would help Macbeth cope with his eventual feelings of remorse, and allow him to stay strong in front of those around him.