Review of Double Indemnity (1973) by Danny R — 03 Jan 2016

Billy Wilder's classic which is one of the all-time great film noirs. It concerns an insurance salesman Walter Neff, played by Fred MacMurray in a superbly understated performance, who is drawn then persuaded by beautiful, but treacherous femme fatale Phyllis Dietrichson, played by Barbara Stanwych, in a astounding performance, that is a undiluted study of greed, cunning and vindictiveness, to murder her no-good husband.

The calculating Phyllis has Walter sell her husband a accident policy, then a short time later kill her husband making it look like accident; so they can collect the $100,000 on the 'Double Indemnity' clause, but then what almost seemed like the perfect crime begins to fall apart because of the two characters absolute mistrust of one another, and the fact that Walter's best friend and colleague Barton Keyes, played by Edward G.

Robinson in a brilliant, nuanced scene-stealing performance is leading the investigation into the so-called accidental death of Phyllis's husband. Flawlessly directed by Wilder, with gorgeous cinematography by John F.

Seitz, and a great score by Mikos Rozsa. Nominated for 6 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director: Billy Wilder, and Best Actress: Barbara Stanwych. An American masterpiece. Highly Recommended.