To what extent is film noir about redemption?
Brent talks with Hannah Long about the 1944 movie ‘Double Indemnity’ starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson.
Hannah is a passionate cinephile. She writes cultural commentary and film criticism for a number of publications including ‘The Despatch’,‘Angelus News’, ‘The Bulwark’ and ‘First Things’.
(0:58) What is film noir?(4:15) ‘Double Indemnity’ – THE best film noir?(5:50) The book;(9:45) Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler;(12:05) The cast;(14:05) What is double indemnity?(17:40) The scene outside Neff’s apartment;(20:00) The use of flashback and narrative;(22:50) Walter Neff;(28:40) Walter and Phyllis’s motivation;(32:45) Phyllis and the femme fatale;(34:45) Keyes – the perfect antagonist?(37:20) Walter’s confession;(38:15) Conscience;(37:30) Free will?(41:40) A movie about redemption?(43:30) The Production Code;(48:35) The movie’s view of America and of capitalism.Links mentioned in this episode:
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