Murder Was the Case, With a Touch of Suicide.

Double Indemnity by James M. Cain was positively a definition of Noir. According to the handout "Primary Characteristics and Conventions of Film Noir: Themes and Styles", most of the characteristics were a part of this novel. Which included, moral corruption, evil, quilt, paranoia, detective types, crime and corruption, femme fatales and murder. Apparently quite a bit of murder. This ending was actually quite surprising. I liked the twist and turns that kept you guessing as to what was really going on and who was really involved. I had the suspicion that maybe Phyllis would try to kill Walter as well. After all they were the only two that really knew what when on that night of the murder, since they planned it together. And as Walter stated "somewhere in the back of my head I had known I would have to kill her , for what she knew about me, and because the world isn't big enough for two people once they've got something like that on each other" (86). It almost seemed like murder came second nature for Walter. It never took a lot of thought for him to come up with a plan. Always with an air tight alibi. Keyes surprised me the way he handled everything down to getting Walter and Phyllis out of the country. Keyes had an idea what Walter's true fate was going to be when he said goodbye to Walter and it appeared he was doing him a favor, and Walter thanked him. Keyes stated " you've got no reason to thank me, and I don't think they will catch up with you Huff. I think, well maybe I'm doing you a favor at that. Maybe you'd rather have it that way"(111). When Walter got on the ship and seem to feel comfortable and at peace with what he had done, he had a funny feeling he was not going anywhere. Seeing Phyllis and the conversation they had confirmed it. Phyllis was right at home with the fate that was upon them. She had always had a strange attraction to death and now she would fulfill her love for it. In one of my previous blogs, the title was Murder or Suicide, in this case quite a bit of both.

SUICIDE OR MURDER?

Well, I must say that this story came with an unexpected twist. This section of the novel points out the dark side of Walter and Phyllis. Two normal people that sunk to the level of murder, and so easy. At least they thought. The dark side really showed itself. One of the true characteristics of Noir.  The ramifications after all was done, was definitely overwhelming for the both of them. Phyllis was filled with so much anxiety that all she could do was argue, drive and wanted Walter out of her car. His quilt and disbelief of what he had done made him feel the same way. In the car all he could do was try to shut her up and he could not wait to get out of her presence. When he went to talk to Norton and Keyes, I am sure he was very surprised when he heard the two scenarios from his employer and co-worker. Keyes, the claims adjuster is assuming the detective role in this novel. He has so many years and professional experience in this business, also with the company, he knows it is not suicide and not an accident. Keyes opened his book of actuaries and started talking statistics. He tells Norton about the different ways, and methods, in regards to people and situations and he states, "that there is not one case here out of all these millions of cases of a leap from the rear end of a moving train." Even after the inquest and all the testimonies were given and the jury said he died in a manner unknown to them, he still had his doubts. He almost gave the correct murder scenario to the letter, which scared Walter to the point he could not do anything. Keyes plans to stay on Phyllis like his gut told him to from the beginning. He will try his best to sweat her and at the same time Walter will sweat as well. I have a feeling the lack of communication is going to get the best of Phyllis.

DOUBLE INDEMNITY, FILM NOIR OR NOT?

According to Paul Shrader, “Notes on Film Noir” the qualities of film noir are "nightmarish, weird, erotic, ambivalent, and cruel.” The first thirty-three pages of the book Double Indemnity by James M. Cain are so far living up to the difinition of Film Noir. It definately starts off wierd. It doesn't waste any time getting to the crime factor. You have the protaginist, Walter, who seems to be legitimate but also shows a shady side. It appears to be two femme fatale's with their own malnipulative agendas, and the poor inocent bystander, Phyllis's husband blind to the con that is beginning to take place to end his life. There is definately evidence of foul play that would lead to a  violent death in the future. The whole plot so far is very dark. Both femme fatales seem to be mysterious, double-crossing, gorgeous, and manipulative, Which is stated as some of the charateristics. You can feel the deception and the fact that people are not telling the whole truth. Paul Shrader states " It is the presence of crime that gives Noir it's most constant charateristic, and in every sense of the word a noir film is a film of death." So far the fiirst thirty-three pages of the novel confirm that it has the qualities of a noir novel. 

Film Noir in disguise

After reading the article, "The Neo-Noir 90's" I came to understand what the original Film Noir entailed. This made me understand that movies I have seen like L A Confidential, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and The Usual Suspects were not just a simple movie, but a certain type of movie. This style of movies and even television series are being disguised constantly in our era. It seems that there is always a dark side to the plot and even to the protagonist. We see him trying to do good by trying to save the world or whatever the goal is, but he has his own way of doing things. Never following the rules, always taking chances, and even causing collateral damage. It's the only way he knows how to get things done. I can understand why most viewers would not accept the original Film Noir. The world of film is full of color and action. Without these elements, even a good plot would be slow and probably not hold one's attention. So they hide it in films like The Dark Knight, Kill Bill, all the vampire movies, and saving the world types from aliens.You can even find Neo-Noir on television in series such as, V, where the femme fatale role is trying to save the world and her son from the Visitors who have plans to repopulate the world with a hybrid of humans and aliens. Others include series such as, Detroit 1-8-7, Southland, Nikita, and The Vampire Diaries. What regular person would know or suspect that they were watching a version of Neo-Noir? All they know is the the movie or series are filled with suspense, action, mystery, terror, and death. And in all of these cases the heroes have to do whatever they can to accomplish their goals, even if it means innocent people have to suffer. As the article stated, Neo-Noir is still out there, it is just being disguised.