Double Indemnity - Parker Sealy

This scene is particularly interesting when it comes to the film noir aspect of the movie. Film noir literally means black cinema and plays off dark lighting like no other. This scene is interesting because of how it plays off the light. In most scenes with Walter and Phyllis together, the dominant in the shot is Phyllis. In this scene, however, it is the shadow if Walter. I think that in the other scenes, Phyllis is the dominant because she is the woman with the plan. Even though Walter is coming up with the train idea, etc, Phyllis had always planned to find a way to use someone else to kill her husband. In this scene, Walter finally knows and goes to her house to end it before turning himself in. He is in control even though she has a gun. He knows how he is going to handle the situation and what to do with her and he finally truly gets that he was being used. The lines from the blinds on the wall represent a prison like atmosphere where each of the characters are trapped. Not only because there is no way out once you have murdered someone but someone has to die in the situation when they are both onto each other. The blinds are sharply pointing to Walter’s shadow. This is a theme of film noir. To be rich in texture and jagged shapes which can mean sharper images such as this one. It is the only light that gives way to the shadow of Walter therefore making sure that your eyes go to him first. This scene is set up before you even see it continue. It is foreshadowing because Walter is creepily entering and is the dominant therefore you know that he is about to come into the room and take control. Then Phyllis is sitting in the chair very calm which allows you to know that she is not in control and therefore you can see how the scene is going to play out.