This blog entry is part of my "movie recommendation site suggestions". Read more about that here.
Double Indemnity
Working in the insurance field, I don't see many movies that focus on the area of my profession. In fact I can't think of a single movie other than this one. Some films may mention insurance matters briefly, but this is the only one I can think of that is so central to the plot. They sure do make it seem interesting though. At least Edward G. Robinson's character Barton Keyes seems almost like an adventurous detective (or maybe you are all thinking I'm crazy). Then again, I don't work in claims so maybe it really is like that.
Although there were many films before this film that have been labled as film-noir a lot of people, including many who speak on the special features of this DVD, maintain that this should be considered the first true film-noir. The stark black and white cinematography, the femme fatale, the degenerate characters being sucked into a world of crime. The prototypes for these features of many subsequent film-noirs were solidified here. Yet the film also features so many aspects that are so different from many subsequent film-noirs as well. The characters are a lot more wholesome. Fred MacMurray never gets more amoral than he does in his Billy Wilder films, but it still pales in comparison to many of the more well known noir characters like Sam Spade, Philip Marlowe and Mike Hammer. Screenwriters Wilder and Chandler actually made a lot of changes from the original James M. Cain story for improvement to the screen and in general. The DVD features a wealth of information on the whole process and the people involved including two audio commentaries. I wouldn't bother watching the second DVD in the set though. I'll say why in a later blog.
Like a lot of fim-noirs, there are a few things that just don't make sense or are too unbelievable when you go back over the plot in your head. But like all of the good film-noirs, you aren't too bothered by it while you are actually watching the movie because everything else is just too good.
Rating: 9/10