My (John Erck's) take on "Double Indemnity"...baby.
First things first, I thought Fred MacMurray's excessive use of the word "baby" was pretty funny.
Now, I'd like to address the matter regarding whether or not film noir (French for "black film") is or is not a genre. Some people argue that, although it sometimes suggests particular moods, movements, or visual styles, film noir is not a genre. I do not agree with this statement.
To start with, the definition of "genre" is, "A class or category of artistic endeavor having a particular form, content, technique, or the like." Now, on the other hand, "film noir's" definition is much more subjective in nature. According to Wikipedia, film noir is defined as, "A cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation." Now, comparing the two terms from an objective standpoint based off the comparison of the two term's definitions, you can see that they are in fact similar in nature. With the understanding that the term "form" in a fine art context means the organization, placement, or relationship of basic elements, it is easy to see how film noir adheres to a particular form. For example, the placement of lighting is essential in a film noir to effectively communicate the shifting moods and underlying motives of the characters. Often during the movie, light would shine on Barbara Stanwyck's face, lighting it up and simultaneously casting a dark shadow on the wall behind. This had the effect of visually depicting the pure looking "external" in contrast to the dark "internal". With regard to content, film noir's consistently are based upon themes that emphasize moral ambiguity and sexual motivation. And finally, with regard to technique, film noir's once again all share similar cinematographic techniques. These techniques would include filming in a way that results in a low-key black-and-white visual style.
Although I've argued that film noir is in fact a genre, ultimately it's my opinion that one cannot definitively state whether this is or is not actually true. I say this primarily because the term film noir has never been decidedly defined and is in itself shrouded in a layer of ambiguity.