Review of Double Indemnity (1944) by Peter N — 18 Jul 2013

The most exciting and tense movie you will see involving insurance. Well, insurance, deception, femme fatales, and murder. It's Billy Wilder's masterpiece, Double Indemnity. This is my favorite film noir.

It begins with Walter Neff, an insurance salesman, entering his work building and stumbling into a chair to record his story for his friend and co-worker, Keyes, played by Edward G. Robinson. Basically, it began as an innocent visit to discuss insurance with a Mr.

Dietrichson at his home, but when he's not there, he meets Phyllis Dietrichson, played by Barbara Stanwyck, his sultry and flirtatious wife. Eventually, she talks Walter into murdering her husband and making it look like an accident in order to claim a large amount of money.

This movie is in incredibly sexy for a movie made in 1944. With the beginning sequence between MacMurray and Stanwyck, the banter is slightly comical, fast and filled with innuendo. The cinematography is top notch as well.

Great use of shadows and lighting, as well as different angles, doorwarys, etc. Great movie.