The novel Double Indemnity by James M. Cain, definitely fits the genre of film noir. Almost all characteristics we covered in describing film noir in class, show up in the first eight chapters of the book. From the main character Walter as the noir protagonist, the rural Los Angeles setting, to the hat emphasized in the murder scene.
Although I found the story extreme and unrealistic, in that the two, Walter and Phyllis, met once and the next time they were kissing and planning a murder, I see how it is a classic example of film noir. "I knew then what I had done. I had killed a man. I had killed man to get a woman. I had put myself in her power..." (Cain pg. 54) This quote, to me, really is the identity of film noir. A man struggling with his morals of what is right and what is wrong vs. what he wants over what he can not have. Of course, other identifiers come into play in pinpointing this novel as film noir, though I feel that this line solely can classify Double Indemnity as such.
Walter Huff falls in love with Phyllis Nirdlinger, who is married to a man she wants dead. Mrs. Nirdlinger plays the role of the femme fatale in this story. She is manipulative and desperate as she lures Mr. Huff in, and almost at once has him plotting and scheming to kill Mr. Nirdlinger for love and for love of money. Though Mr. Huff seems to be a good guy, he is tired of being the good guy, and wants his slice of the pie. He is really and truly the mastermind behind the whole thing. He knows the ins and outs of the insurance business and just how to get them to pay. As he puts it: "You think I'm nuts? All right, maybe I am. But you spend fifteen years in the business I'm in, maybe you'll go nuts yourself... I know all their tricks, I lie awake at night thinking up tricks so I'll be ready for them when they come at me. And then one night I think up a trick, and get to thinking I could crook the wheel myself..." (Cain pg.24) Mr. Huff fits perfectly in the description of the "passive hero who allows himself to be dragged across the line into the gray area between legal and criminal behavior." (Notes on film noir)
After the murder, guilt and paranoia start to sink in; Mr. Huff saying "...everything cracked. I dived for the bathroom, I was sicker than I had ever been before. It was a long time before I could turn out the light." (Cain pg.54) setting a primary mood of film noir. The novel is absolutely intriguing, it is dark and seductive, and incredibly complex. Mr. Huff narrorating the story, really gives a feeling I am watching the crime take place.
I had felt the same way about when Mr. Huff and Phyllis when they were kissing on the coach i knew right away that Phyllis was going to be the femme fatale of just how Cain describe her and how Mr. huff was falling in love with her knowing she was married. but i do agree with you on how the novel is intriguing and just from the first chapter it gave you the mood of film noir how its dark, cruel and gloomy.
ReplyDeleteVery well done Megan, I think you cover all the aspects of the story that support that it is indeed a work of noir. I also like how you write quotes from the book to support your idea, the concept of Walter going nuts from working on the company for that long is also probably one reason why he snap and just decided to kill someone and think he could get away from it. I also like how you describe the settings and base that as a concept of noir. I see that you focus more on describing and analyzing the protagonist than the femma fatal (unlike others) and its a good observation of you. Although I agree on your point of Walter and Phyllis being unrealistic, either it was a love at first sight or they are just really two psycho people who met each other and enjoy and desire the darkness of life, there's no unrealistic about it, maybe it happens quick but its possible. It's probably just me, I have seen worst than this, I myself enjoy this kind of movie or story. All in all, you did a great job!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jerrica!
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