1) Compare and contrast the main male and female characters in "Double Indemnity" and "The Last Seduction". How are they similar and how are they different?
A similarity between both the leading men in each film (Walter in 'Double Indemnity' and Mike in 'The Last Seduction') is that they both become head over heels for the women in each film (Phyllis for Walter, Bridget (or Wendy) for Mike). Both women devise the plan to have their husband's killed in order for money and want their new men to get involved and help them, but both Mike and Walter cannot at first do it because they find it to be morally wrong. They both however end up becoming involved, just so they can be with their women.
The difference, however, is that Bridget takes an office job at the insurance company where Mike works, while Phyllis is unemployed. Phyllis also has an obstacle in her way that Bridget does not - her husband's daughter, Lola, Which I find surrounds her and Walter's plans with more difficulty, compared to Bridget and Mike's.
2) How well do the female characters fit into the role of Femme Fatal?
I would have to say quite well. This is because both Phyllis and Bridget are able to use their seductiveness to win an innocent man over, make them become crazy for them and ultimately use them, frame them and get away with the entire plot. This applies especially to Bridget, who, in the closing minuets of the film, is able to make Mike appear guilty of murdering her husband (which she did) trick him into raping her and getting him to say that he did all of this during a 911 phone call, While she gets away scot free. There is a small difference to Phyllis, however. While she as well used the man who was crazy for her and ultimately gets him a death sentence, Walter is able to shoot her dead, and before this gets her to admit that she actually loved him (when she couldn't fire the second bullet).
3) How do the settings add to the sense of Noir within the films?
Streets, dark apartments, offices and bars all add to the noir look as they can create alienating and spooky feelings that surround the dark and immoral plots of both the films. Because of the the subject matter involved with the plots, its shows that innocence cannot be found in the world and their is a dark, savage beast underneath every person. The smoky, downtown, often at night settings capture this image really well - during broad daylight in the blazing sunshine simply wouldn't have the same effect.
4) How are light and shadows used within the film to create a sense of meaning?
Darkness and shadows are used to create a sense of mystery and danger - the silhouette approaching and getting larger at the start of 'Double Indemnity', for example, and the opening of 'The Last Seduction' also takes this approach (the smokey office, with the only source of lighting being the desk lights). Ultimately, darkness is a reflection of the mood of the characters and they create the impression that something dreadful is going to happen - when Walter is sat alone in his apartment thinking about Phyllis, the lights are off, but as soon as she arrives he turns them on.
5) Do you think that "The Last Seduction" is a good example of a Neo Noir? How far does it fit the conventions of Film Noir?
I would say yes to the first part of the question as 'The Last Seduction' is set many years later than 'Double Indemnity' which means there is a huge technological update e.g. the use of computers, telephones ect. but the plot and subject matter ties it in to the conventions of film-noir. However, the lack of a character telling the narrative, like in 'Double Indemnity' and less still-shots give it the potential to edge away from film-noir.
6) "Double Indemnity" is often described as the ultimate film noir, why do you think this is? How well does the film fit into the conventions of Film Noir?
Reading a handout which we received in class, I can understand why it is considered as the top example of film noir. Crime and corruption, in an urban setting, and the hero turned evil (Walter) by a corrupted love affair are all features that are present in 'Double Indemnity'. Walter was once a man of innocence, but by trailing after Phyllis his association with this word slowly fades away until it is no more. All of these key features make it fit into the genre's conventions.
7) What are the key themes explored within the 2 films? Please explore each film separately first
'Double Indemnity' -
Love
Crime
Sex
Uncertainty
Murder
Business
Manipulation
The Last Seduction -
Sex
Romance
Murder
Money
Crime
Manipulation
8)What are the common themes of both films
Romance
Sex
Murder
Manipulation
Money
9) How do the messages and values explored within the film reflect the times in which they were made?
A lot of the lighting in 'Double Indemnity' is stripped and dark, which could be related to the stripped-down economy during and after the 2nd World War. This leads to cuts in the sets, but the stripped-down office, apartment and bar locations all make film noir recognizable. Phyllis first appears in just a towel, which immediately catches the eye of Walter and introduces her as the sexy, dominant women who can get anything she wants with her looks, but possibly, this is her limit, in a time where men may have been more dominant in society, politics ect.
Bridget in 'The Last Seductions', on the other hand, has a lot more available for her because of the time period (nearer the present). She easily gets a job and is able to get to a new location easily. More money was available to spend on sets, props and lighting, which results in the combination of light and darkness and the increased use of technology (phones, computers, cars ect.). However, not a lot of ties in with the plot, unlike in 'Double Indemnity' where the dictaphone is used by Walter to drive the entire storyline.
Something that both the time periods have in common, however, is that both male characters first show disgust towards the plots towards murder due to it being immoral. Both men, however, give in and join in with these tactics so they can remain close to the women they are crazy for. However, the endings to each film show us that manipulation is something that has taken place for years, and that there some people out there who simply want to use you for their own devilish ways. Some people simply exist to screw you over.
