Review of Double Indemnity (1944) by Seth S — 26 Jul 2012
Double Indemnity is both a remarkably decent adaptation of a great novel, and a pitch perfect noir experience. With its splendidly dark and sombre atmosphere, this suspenseful urban tale about a ruthless murder plot invented by a greedy woman and a rather naive man, Double Indemnity is Billy Wilder's most haunting and hypnotizing film in the genre.
As the tension rises, the true nature of the characters is revealed, and what seems to have been a perfect plot, turned out to be a fatal disaster with unimaginable consequences.The fate of every person involved is sealed before the thrilling end.
Fred MacMurray is great as the rapacious insurance agent, and Barbara Stanwyck created a cold-blooded femme fatale of flesh and bones. The black-and-white cinematography is purely nightmarish, and the film makes a great use of the retrospections, in order to maintain its tense tone.
One of Hollywood's best, this dialogue-heavy film is still able to astound.
This review of Double Indemnity (1944) was written by Seth S on 26 Jul 2012.
Double Indemnity has generally received very positive reviews.
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