Review of Double Indemnity (1973) by Al M — 20 Jul 2011
Double Indemnity represents film noir at its finest. Bleak almost to the point of nihilism, the film's story is rather simply: an insurance agent falls for a beautiful woman who is married to a rich man, they kill the husband after getting him insurance, and then their lives devolve into tumult as the insurance company begins to investigate the claim.
Featuring superb direction from the great Billy Wilder, beautiful black-and-white cinematogrpahy, and pitch-perfect performances from Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck, and Edward G. Robinson, Double Indemnity remains an American classic that explores the lines between black and white/good and evil.
A taunt descent into the psychology of desire and greed, Double Indemnity remains a compelling thriller that deftly blends humor, streetwise dialogue, and ethical infractions together into a heady yet thoroughly entertaining film that dared to tackle taboo issues in its day.
This review of Double Indemnity (1973) was written by Al M on 20 Jul 2011.
Double Indemnity has generally received positive reviews.
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