Film Noir

1) Compare and contrast the main male and female characters in "Double Indemnity" and "The Last Seduction". How are they similar and how are they different?

In the two film noir films i have watched i think that the two women, Bridget and Phillis, are both very strong women who have a lust for crime and in particular, murder. The men in the two films however i think are different as Walter (Double Indemnity) is quite a strong man himself and was the one who made Phillis realise he could help her kill her husband. Mike (The Last Seduction) however was more of a nice guy who had a bad marriage and past and wanted to get away from that and when he met Bridget/Wendy he thought he had found something good, yet again turned out badly for him.

2) How well do the female characters fit into the role of Femme Fatal? (research this term before responding to ensure you have a good understanding of the what it means.)

I think that the female characters fit into the role of Femme Fetale as they both use their sexuality to get what they want in life by using men for crime. The two women are both thinking the same way as eachother for example when Bridget wants to kill other womens husbands who are cheaters and treat their wives badly and Phillis is one of those wives however she does the killing and takes his money. Both storylines include the women stealing money, murdering their husbands and one other person which shows the women are dangerous on the inside yet they have a soft charm on the outside. Bridget however hides this more as she never claimed that she loved Mike and that he is simple a sex partner nothing more. This shows that Bridget is quite heartless and could be asked if she has any feelings at all however Phillis plays a much more soft, gentle woman with a wicked side to her and there is more to let on.

3) How do the settings add to the sense of Noir within the films? (read about settings before responding please.)

4) How are light and shadows used within the film to create a sense of meaning?
I think that the shadows used in the two films create a darkness of evil and is a good way of creating danger and crime in a scene. An example of this could be in 'Double Indemnity' when Walter and Phillis go into another room which is much more darker and you can barely see their face they start to talk about wives who have previously killed their husbands and claimed money on their life insurance, cooking up a plan and putting ideas into her head.

5) Do you think that "The Last Seduction" is a good example of a Neo Noir? How far does it fit the conventions of Film Noir?

I think 'The Last Seduction' does represent a modern film noir film as it still uses crime and murder along with strong, seductive, dangerous women and even though there aren't the shadows to create effect, crime is still ongoing.

6) "Double Indemnity" is often described as the ultimate film noir, why do you think this is? How well does the film fit into the conventions of Film Noir?

7) What are the key themes explored within the 2 films? Please explore each film seperately first

8)What are the common themes of both films?

What social scenarios are explored within each film?

Within the crime films, Bullet Boy, Sweet Sixteen and London to Brighton there is a common social scenarios where the characters live and grew up in. They are usually always low working class and in London to Brighton, homeless. This shows

How is crime portrayed in each film?

In what ways are people deprived in each film?

What opportunities are available to the main characters in each of the films?

How are criminals portrayed within each of the films?

Can the protagonists (lead characters) escape from the situations they are in?

What punishments do characters receive for their crimes in each of the films?

How is violence portrayed within each of the films?

What social restrictions are evident within each of the films?

similarities and differences between crime films

In the three crime films we have watched there are many similarities such as the choices made, their friends and family and their crimes made. Other similarities are things such as:
-wanting to get away from crime
-the crimes i.e stabbing
-relationships between characters i.e Kelly and Joanne, Liam and his sister and Ricky and his friend

Bullet Boy

Bullet Boy (2004) directed by Saul Dibb is a crime film about a man called Ricky who has been released from jail for stabbing someone however he wants to leave his old ways. This becomes easier said than done as his friend hasn't changed and is bringing Ricky into his own trouble even when trying to leave his council area to move away with his girlfriend.

In this film a favourite part of mine was when he was nervous holding the gun and it was shaking which was shown well with the cinematography. Another good piece of cinematography used was the fast tracking along with the fast non diegetic sound when running away.

I personally couldn't relate to the storyline either from the characters or the crime they have been involved in however other people who may live in a rougher area probably could relate further.

Some of the crimes Ricky gets involved with are things such as killing a dog relating in his friends car getting smashed up, keeping a gun at home for his friend for his younger brother to find. This is where his younger brother who is only 12 almost kills his best friend when playing in the woods. His mother somehow stays very calm with him almost as if it was something she had delt with before and it is no shock to her.

Even though Ricky tries to get away from his old ways it doesn't go to plan unfortunately and he even looses his girlfriend who suddenly doesn't want anything to do with him

London to Brighton

London to Brighton is a film based on one crime in particular prostitution and murders. There are many fast camera angles used to create drama and show the characters fear.

When the film begins it starts in a grubby toilet where we see two characters rushing about showing they are very scared of something however the audience doesn't know what. This is quite a sudden beginning to the film and immediately draws the audience in as they want to know what's happening already. We aren't introduced into the characters however we know they are scared and in need for money and one girl has a black eye and split lip and she is trying to protect the younger girl by keeping her in the toilets. The narrative is quite confusing at first however it soon becomes clear that the film has a non linear narrative and there are flashbacks used.

Class is shown in this film by Kelly having to sell herself for money which is bad enough for her however when she has to find a young girl she knows how wrong it is however if she didn't she would get into trouble and would be easier just to do it. When she does find a girl however she becomes close to her and protects her. In the film someone makes a comment of "how do people live like this?" this shows that people of a higher class are looking down on people on the streets trying to earn money.

When the film starts the closeness of Kelly and Joanne is strong and at first i thought they could be sisters however they are just close friends and Kelly does everything she can to protect her from the danger and hurt she is living in. I think that because Kelly has been there she knows what it'll be like for Joanne and she doesn't want that for her even though they haven't known each other long at all. Kelly will be a prostitute to earn money for herself and Joanne even though she doesn't have to she cares. Age is a big part of this film and they keep repeating that Joanne is 12 however she tells different characters in the film she is older but nobody believes her. She is always trying to act older than she is even by smoking at 12 and then telling Derek she's not a virgin. I think this makes the story more shocking to the audience and makes them realise what can happen to young children even at a young age.

Throughout this film violence has been used as a threat and to show that they mean the threat and prove it for example when Derek gets stabbed in the leg. Violence is used again when we find out what happened in the bedroom with Joanne and the man she has to sleep with. We see that she killed him and then thinks Derek will hurt them however the twist is that Derek gets shot along with his friend and the girls go free. Joanne then lives with her nan in the country and she is safe again however that memory will always be there.

Sweet Sixteen

Sweet Sixteen directed by Ken Louch (2002) is a crime film based in Glasgow about Liam a young boy who is almost 16. The film shows many aspects of crime for example his mother is currently in jail which must be difficult for Liam especially at his age which is brought up to remind the audience many times.

In the film Scottish non diegetic music is used to set the scene if people hadn't known where their accent was for example Americans who may watch the film.

From many aspects of the film you realise that the boys live in quite a lower class area for example when they use bin bags and wearing tatty looking clothing, out dated car and grubby bedroom too. Class is also shown in this film when diegetic opera music is being played and a character shouts "get it off!" this could be because opera music is usually listened to people of a higher class. There is a contrast of using this music as he is currently driving recklessly and doing doughnuts in the mud.

Comedy is used in this film on occasion possibly to show the lighter side to the story for example by swearing and taking his grandad's teeth.

Liam's friend gets picked on in this film for many things and he tries to show that he is like Liam too by offering him a knife which he turns down however later ends up using another knife elsewhere when he stabs his mums boyfriend after she's out of prison. When he stabes her boyfriend the camera is high tilt looking down on him on the floor which could show power over what he's just done but also shock. Liam's friend gets picked on for his bedroom as it has pictures of space and wearing glasses however he looks after Liam and tells him he'll need the knife and lets his friends stay there.

Liam cares for his mum alot and often sends her tapes whilst in prison and visits her often too. When Liam buys a caravan for himself and his family he loves it and uses it as an escape from reality and crime.

Whilst there is a dealing of drugs happening on the streets there is another contrast of non diegetic sound of 'ill stand by you'. I thought this was an odd song to use here as it is quite a slow and meaningful song however i think the lyrics represent their friendship or his family when things go badly.

I think that gender has been represented in this film as his sister is someone he can confide in however I think Liam uses females when he needs them for example when he fancies Suzanne he is upfront about it and too confident. Also because he doesn't have his mum around I think he acts irresponsibly and even gets hit and beaten by males in his family.

Exhibition questions

1) Why are there no viable arts/independent cinemas in many areas? Why/how is Southampton able to sustain the Picturehouse (Harbour Lights).
There usually arent many cinemas who show independant movies as they arent very popular

2)What is the relationship between movie going and video/dvd/blu-ray hire/sales?

3) What does the programming of the Sky movie channels and Film Four respectively say about the relationship between pay television, niche marketing and consumer behaviour?

4) What is the most appropriate response Contemporary British Cinema can make to Hollywood dominance.

5)Should British films be distinctive at the expense of profitability ir profitable at the expense of distinctiveness?

6)Is it possible for British films to be both distinctive and profitable? If so, how ?(please use examples in your response)