Double Idemnity Movie Review

I’ll admit I am a sucker for 40s film noir, the intrigue of a good mystery, quick witted back and forth dialogue and stylish black and white visuals represent one of the greatest eras in Hollywood filmmaking. It is a group filled with such classics as Casablanca, The Third Man and the Maltese falcon. Even among such noteworthy peers Double Indemnity manages to stand out as a brilliant film.
Directed by Billy Wilder and staring Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck, the film follows the story of Walter Neff. This quick thinking insurance salesman who on a routine sales call stumbles upon lonely housewife Phyllis Dietrichson. The two end up stuck together in a scheme that will change both of their lives forever.
With all due respect to Sunset Boulevard, Double Indemnity is the Billy Wilder film that most closely fits into the Film Noir genre and also the darkest of all his films. The cynicism is laid on pretty thick even by genre standards and sunny California is rendered in a darker shade during most of the scenes. Even so the film manages to squeak in some light-hearted banter between the two leads and the movie never becomes overly dark or depressing. The acting is excellent on all fronts, Barbara Stanwyck may not be a well known sex symbol but in this film she exudes a subtle sexuality that creeps in slowly but resonates deeply. You can easily believe how the poor salesman could become so hopelessly hooked. Fred MacMurray rifles off witty retorts with a carefree confidence but manages to bring a chilling vulnerability to the film’s more serious scenes. While the stars certainly deserve credit, a special mention must be made to Edward G. Robinson for his portrayal of Barton Keyes. He plays a wise old insurance investigator who reckons he has seen just about everything during his many years on the job. He is an incredibly interesting and quirky character who fulfills the tough role of being a likeable adversary for the hero.
Overall Double Indemnity is a wonderful movie and a personal favourite. While it is a difficult task for any movie to compete with the experience of my first viewing there is still plenty to enjoy during multiple viewings and there are many subtleties that you can still be discovered. An obvious recommendation for fans of Film Noir but can also be a great introduction to the genre.