Film Noir and Femme Fatale-Jennifer Metzer
For me this movie was interesting to watch and see what kind of role that the leading lady played in the story. I do think that the leading lady, Phyllis, was a femme fatale. I think that she used her sexuality and her personality to get what she wanted even if it hurt people that she may have cared for in the end.
In the beginning of the movie Walter goes to the home of a client. He runs into the client's wife, Phyllis, and you can tell instantly that he is attracted to her. You can also tell that she knows that as well and is willing to use that attraction to the full potential.
There are two things about Phyllis and her role as the femme fatale that really made me think. The first being her image of women that she portrays to the audience. And the second being the role that she plays in Walter's downfall.
I think the Phyllis has a both a positive and negative role for women. I think the way that she portrays the strength and independence a woman can have was really great. But than she used that strength and independence and combined it with her sexuality and seduction to get what she wanted. And that is where those negative qualities come in.
The character Phyllis also played a huge role in the downfall of leading man Walter. I believe that she used her seduction and charm to get him to do her bidding and get rid of her husband. I thought it very interesting that Walter did figure out that Phyllis wanted her husband dead. Walter even gave it to her straight and walked out. But he still went through with the plan because he could not stay away from her.
I was not expecting Walter to shoot and kill Phyllis at the end of the movie. I don't know if he was doing it so that he wouldn't get caught or if it was so that she could not use anyone else like she used him.
I thought the movie was interesting but was not really shocking. I think if i had seen the movie when it first came out it would ahve been shocking but in our time it doesn't seem so shocking now.