Genre Conventions of Film Noire

Film Noire is a sub genre of crime fiction, which follows a firm convention that must be strictly obeyed. An example is the movie ‘Double Indemnity’ which shows an effectiveness of the genre conventions. I would compare it to a modern black film such as Brick (2005). One important fact about Film Noire is the use of visuals, which feature a strong shadow that’s often obscures the characters. Film Noire features characters that play important roles called Femme Fatale.

Femme Fatales are generally featured in Film Noire. They are naturally seductive and manipulative women motivated by greed especially for money. Once she is introduced to a man’s character she is on a mission to manipulate him and also create situations leading to their downfall or death for their own gain. In Brick (2005); Brandon shows how Emily saw Laura and ran like she had seen a devil. Laura’s actions and the way others perceive her are typical characteristics of a Femme Fatale. In Double Indemnity, Phyllis who plays the role of a Femme Fatale causes death intentionally because of her greed for her husband’s money who died as a result of an accident she planned with Huff. Keyes describes her as a ‘Cobra’. Both Phyllis and Laura are typical Femme Fatales consciously aware of their actions to fulfill their greed. Most Femme Fatales meet their downfall in the end just like Phyllis did in Double Indemnity where she was shot by Huff. Nevertheless, the women of film noir often evoke sympathy, as they are frequently victims of emotional or physical abuse, with such victimization fueling their vengeance. They are trapped in passionless or violent marriages and resort to murder as a means of escape, usually destroying everything in the process.

The use of visuals is a significant feature in Film Noire because the lightning is very dark and particularly obscure,