Double Indemnity(1944, Billy Wilder) Implications: (Non-Spoiler 2 sentence plot synopsis:)
An insurance broker and a disgruntled housewife hatch a scam to kill her husband and split the life insurance money. The story from this noir black-n-white film had previously been told in play and novella form, but the original story came from the real life of events of a New York woman, Ruth Snyder and her lover Judd Gray.
Health Benefits (what I liked):
I wish I had more to say about this one. I guess the plot was somewhat interesting. Some of the snappy dialog didn't come off too hokey. Overall it wasn't too terribly bad. I suppose given some historical context and some lessons about the cinematography of the film I could come to appreciate it.
Side Effects: (what I didn't like)
Here's a perfect quote out-of-context from my last review: "My problem is with film noir. They tend to be plot heavy, stagy, character thin, and stylized in a way that isn't all that interesting to me.".
Active Ingredients(favorite scenes and characters)
I didn't really have any favorite scenes. It was just kinda there. Not terrible and not really all that great either. I do have to ask the question: Anyone else find MacMurray horribly miscast in this?
This medicine is like: (who should watch this?)
a) Castor Oil: To be shown only to Film students... as punishmentb) St John's Wart: Works really well for some people, but I still have this rash...
c) Fish Oil: Good for you but it's a bit of a pill to swallow!
d) One-A-Day Vitamins: Recommended for anyone
e) Flinstone Chewables: Good for you and easily ingestible (and fruity flavors!)
See it's things like these that have me really questioning if in fact I am a cinefileHow soon before your next dosage?(Chances I'll watch it again)
a) Measles Inoculation: Once should do itb) Advil: may need a dose again from time to time
c) Viagara: Keep handy, because you never know when the mood will strike you!
d) Crack: You need it again as soon as the effects wear off...
Maybe if I muted the sound during all the voice over narration i might be able to make it all the way through it again..So...Do I feel better now?(other thoughts)
Not really. This totally did nothing for me. Film noir takes another hit.
Conclusion:It may be about time I just admit once-and-for-all that 50s film noir just isn't for me.
Grade: C-Film Rankings so far
1. Fitzcaraldo
2. Reds
3. Chinatown
4. Goodbye Mr Chips
5. The Bicyle Thief
6. Double Indemnity
7. The Passion of Joan of Arc
Remaining films:
- Seven Samarai
- 12 Angry Men
- Paris Texas
- The 400 Blows
- Days of Heaven
- The Third Man
- Do The Right Thing
- Blue Velvet
- Three Colors: Blue
- The Sting
- The Apartment
- Sunrise: Song of Two Humans
- North by Northwest