Review of Double Indemnity (1944) by Chris W — 23 Apr 2012

Before anything, let's just look at the talent behind this film: Based on a novel by James M. Cain, directed by Billy Wilder, script by Wilder and Raymond Chandler, and starring Fred MacMurray, Barabra Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson. Damn.

Thankfully, this talent doesn't go to waste at all, and the end result is one of the greatest entries into the film noir genre. The plot concerns an insurance salesman named Walter Neff who, smitten with a client's wife, schemes with her to kill the husband in an accident like fashion in order to cash in on the double indemnity clause of their policy- a cluase that will pay out double than normal in the event of a death caused by accident. Things get tricky though, when a suspicious claims adjuster who works with Neff is assigned to the case.

This is a smart, suspenseful, and tightly written thriller, and despite how old it is, really holds up extremely well. The film has also been very influential not only on the film noir genre, but also several films by a couple of guys you may have heard of named Joel and Ethan Coen (among others). Wilder's direction is superb, and the acting is brilliant. MacMurray and Stnawyck had never done anything quite this sleazy and gritty before, and this also marked the start of a long tenure as a supporting character actor for Robinson..something he was great at.

From the music, to the technical details like cinematography, editing, etc, the tightness of the plot is made even more spectacular, and this is hands down one of the best ever. Leave it at that and go see it.