Double Indeminity-Cassandra Johnson
I would have to say that film noir is a genre however broad it may be. I feel that it is a genre because it has characteristics specific to the type of film it is and these characteristics provoke certain kinds of emotions. In most comedy movies people laugh and feel care free or generally happy. In horror movies we typically feel a sense of fright or anticipation. An uneasy or awkward feeling seems to accompany film noir. The contrast of black and white, the shadows and small spaces are the cause for these emotions. The dark eerie urban setting and the musical transgressions throughout the film also play a key role in distinguishing film noir. The very obvious subservient portrayal of African Americans is also an element of film noir. The only time you see an African American throughout the film is when they are doing things like washing the car, cleaning the office, or carrying luggage.
Another element of film noir is the role of the femme fatale and Phyllis Dietrichson fills that role perfectly. At first I felt sense of sympathy for Phyllis. She manipulates the audience as well as Walter Neff into thinking that she is a victim of her very unfortunate circumstances and her extremely mean husband. You almost can't blame her for just throwing the idea out there... Throughout the film I think Phyllis's true intentions become clearer. The very first step of the murder plot is for Walter to go talk to Phyllis's husband about insurance. Then we get a first-hand look at the "monster" she has to deal with. He doesn't seem to be a first rate husband by any means, but he certainly didn't deserve to be murdered. Towards the end Phyllis is exposed for the feme fatale she really is. However easy it did seem to be for Walter Neff to be manipulated, (I mean he only met the woman twice and had the murder all plotted out by their third encounter) she did manipulate him with her undeniable beauty, the promise of love, and her seductive ways.