Review of Double Indemnity (1973) by Greg P — 18 Jul 2010
Quite an impressive feature about a seemingly perfect murder plot that slowly unravels thread by thread.
Insurance salesman Walter doesn't know what he's getting himself into when he walks into dame Phyllis' house as he goes about his door to door business. Sparks fly at first sight between the two, and they fall for each other...the only problem is Phyllis' abusive and domineering husband. So sets forth a most vile but clever plan - sell an insurance plan to the husband that includes a clause of inheritance to the family if he is accidentally killed, which would allow Phyllis $50,000 and a chance to be with Walter. With his knowledge of the ins and outs of the system, Walter fabricates a most well thought out scheme, one that includes "double indemnity" (which will give Phyllis twice as much inheritance as normal), as he plots a murder in disguise as a freak train accident. The two go through with it confident of their cover up, but suspicious insurance investigator Barton smells something fishy and is determined to sniff out the case.
Although slow going out of the gate, and featuring a love story that develops unusually quick, "Double Indemnity" has a lot going for it. The narration, for example, seems like standard noir, but reveals itself to be rather innovative (for the time at least) as Walter tells his story in flashback which eventually leads up to the present time where we discover his outcome. Also of interest is the compelling detective portion that plays out after the murder, which sees Walter and Phyllis backed into a corner, as their confidence slowly decays. Keeping the story flowing is some great dialogue which could have easily been rolled off the tongue of Humphrey Bogart, but is well delivered by Fred MacMurray as Walter. While the climax seems a little illogical, it leaves an impression and wraps up this movie nicely.
Overall this is an engaging movie about two people who may have not been evil but found it easy getting lost in evil thoughts.
This review of Double Indemnity (1973) was written by Greg P on 18 Jul 2010.
Double Indemnity has generally received positive reviews.
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