Double the film noir, Double the Indemnity

2. Film noir literally means “black film.” As you are watching the film, keep track of all the elements in the picture that seem dark or depressing. Think about the characters, the setting, and the storyline.

Film noir is a French name for an American genre, which saw its introduction and fleeting popularity in the 1940s-50s. However, mise en scene elements from this genre can still be found in popular films today. Mise en scene (another French term) essentially means 'placing on stage' and is in reference to the staging, lighting, and basically anything but the sound/dialogue. 'Double Indemnity' is a prime example of key mise en scene elements, which make up film noir. To understand how mise en scene shaped the course of this film, you have to first know the basic storyline and the sociocultural context surrounding the release of the film.

'Double Indemnity' follows the story of Walter Neff, a single mid-thirties insurance agent in Los Angeles in 1938. Neff lived a normal life until the day he went to sell automotive insurance at the Dietrichson household. Phyllis Dietrichson, a disgruntled housewife, flirts with Neff and casually brings up the potential of getting an accident insurance policy on her husband. Walter Neff instantly calls her out for wanting to kill her husband and leaves her house immediately. Phyllis' looks and charm are too much for Neff though and he eventually succumbs to her will. In the end, Walter kills Phyllis and then dies from the bullet wound she first inflicted on him. Walter and Phyllis each meet a gruesome end underscoring the notion that there were no winners in this tragedy.

As far as sociocultural context, the film was produced in the midst of the film noir phenomenon in the US. One of the key factors in the outcome at the end of the film was the enforcement of the Motion Picture Production Code (MPPC). The MPPC was a censorship code that forbid many risqué themes from making it on screen from its advent in 1921. 'Double Indemnity' walks the very fine line between acceptable and unacceptable per MPPC standards (as many film noir productions did) and seems to be in almost direct contention with rules 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 20, 21, and 25. The MPPC is the reason why both Phyllis and Walter end up dead and neither of them ends up getting away with their crimes.

When you take into account both sociocultural context and storyline, it becomes clear that the success of the film is largely dependent on the mise en scene elements. 'Double Indemnity' was nominated for 7 Academy Awards, one of which was best cinematography. This nomination is clearly justified, due to the incredible lighting and framing the film features. The majority of the scenes in 'Double Indemnity' take place at night or in dimly lit buildings, symbolic of the dark themes that the film explores. In addition to the framing of shots to show tension or unease, the usage of shadows and smoke contributes to the ominous mood. The cinematographic choices made by John Seitz shaped the way the messages of the film come across, and how the story is perceived.

As far as dark themes, the characters of the film are almost without exception riddled with vices. Smoking, drinking, racism, and sexism were all commonplace and seen as aspects of daily life. Murder and adultery were themes that were cornerstones for the film's plot, and were less the exception and more the rule for the dismal portrayal of Los Angeles. Ultimately, the visual themes of 'Double Indemnity' shaped the course of the story and are what made the film a timeless work.