Hundreds of movies were made during the classical period of film noir; many have become icons of the post-war period, and some never gained much popularity. Nevertheless, these movies all included the thematic techniques and cinematic elements that helped to define the style of film noir. You have already been exposed to Double Indemnity, one of the great film noir classics, and have seen some of these elements on the screen. Now, you will analyze another film noir in order to explore these elements across the classical period. Below, you will find steps to complete this multi-part project.
1. Choose a movie to work with from the following titles:
a) The Maltese Falcon (1941)
b) The Big Sleep (1946)
c) Strangers on a Train (1951)
d) Touch of Evil (1958)
You might want to make your selection based on your ability to locate these movies at a library or a video store.
2. Watch your movie. While watching, take notes on the characters and the plot of the movie. Remember that the plot of a film noir can be very complex, so make sure you pay attention or watch the movie twice. If you need to fill in gaps in the plot, consider using the internet to supplement your understanding.
3. Identify thematic elements that classify your movie as a film noir. Using the notes you took in class, as well as the article you read, to guide you, find and explain the following:
- The morally ambiguous protagonist: Who is he? Describe his character and actions. What makes him morally ambiguous?
- The “femme fatale”: Who is she? Describe her character and actions. How is she “fatal” to the protagonist?
- Violence, crime, or death: What “shady” or illegal things are happening in the story?
- The mood of the movie: What is it? What are the characters pessimistic, cynical, depressed, etc. about?
4. Identify cinematic elements that classify your movie as a film noir. What is the director doing with light and shadows, camera angles, etc.? Find examples of the following:
- Use of shadows: How do shadows set the mood in scenes? What do the shadows express about certain characters or events?
- Chiaroscuro/high contrast lighting: Identify scenes where the style of lighting is evident and dramatic. What does the lighting express about characters or events?
- Camera angles: When are the angles skewed or oblique? What characters or settings are shot using these angles? What do the angles express about the characters or events?
5. Identify other commonalities that link your movie to the film noir style. Find examples of the following:
- Indoor and Outdoor settings: Where does the action take place? How does this fit into the film noir style?
- Voice-overs and Point of View: What point of view is the story told from? How does this fit into the film noir style? How does the movie make use of the voice-over? Is it confessional style or something different?
- Complexity of the story: How did the director make the plot complex? Are there flashbacks? If there are, how are they used?
- Witty dialogue: How do the characters talk to each other? Provide some examples of some dialogue.
6. Put it all together in a paper. After watching your movie and gathering information in all of the previous steps, compile your information into a paper. Use each of the following as your subject headings:
a) Plot Summary – explain the plot and identify the characters and the roles they play (how are they considered iconic figures of film noir?)
b) Thematic Elements – explain and give examples of the thematic elements of the movie that classify it as film noir.
c) Cinematic Techniques – explain and give examples of the cinematic techniques used in the movie (how do they fit into the film noir style?)
d) Other Commonalities – explain and give examples of other elements in the movie that are common to the film noir style.
e) Conclusion – decide whether your movie is a good example of film noir, based on everything you have discussed in the previous four sections, and tell me why.
7. Create a visual display. Because much of film noir is visual, you will create a poster board to display some of these elements. Stills from each of these movies are available online – I have already checked! Go to www.google.com and run an image search, using the title of your movie in quotations marks. Your poster board should have a large, colorful title (since most of your pictures will be in black and white!) and at least seven (7) images from the movie. Images must include – but are not limited to – the following:
- an advertisement poster for the movie
- the protagonist and the “femme fatale”
- settings from the movie (at least two)
- an example of chiaroscuro and the use of shadows
Each picture must be properly labeled and explained: Who is in the shot? What is the setting? How is the lighting being used? The caption will depend on the content of the picture. Finally, you must also include your statement on why your film should or should not be considered film noir.
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