Double Indemnity

Double indemnity.
Film Studies

Barton Keyes (Edward G. Robinson)  is the shining star of this film. When I think of insurance companies I think of extremely boring tedious work, and also of corruption and fraud. However Barton gave me a very interesting perspective on the business. Through his monologue talking about suicide we see a bit of humanity come out, and also chuckle to see mister Napoleon tell of the boss. The Boss has just attempted to tell Ms. Dietrichson (Barbara Stanwyck) that her husband committed suicide. But she won't have that crap. She storms out and so the boss say they will have to take it to court. Keyes comes in and biggies to list all the ways that people have committed suicide. He becomes enthused lively and it is captivating to watch. “Mr. Norton, of all the cases on record not one single case of suicide by leaping of the re end of a moving train. And you know how fast that train was going at the point where the body was found, 15 mile an hour”  The boss is stunned by Barton's little speech as he leaves the room. Mr Robinson brought something to the screen that is impossible to replicate. The value of this scene is that he is sticking up for the little man. This is what makes us so connected to him as a character, putting us in the position to understand why Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray) must admit to Keyes what he has done

The Grapes of Wrath and Double Indemnity are similar in several different ways. Creativity is the protagonist in this world and depression is the antagonist. Neither can be without the other. My friend said to me once, if you are ever depressed watch Miyazaki films, since they are so rich with creativity, you are forced to look at the world subjectively. Both Grapes of Wrath and double indemnity are exploring the bleakness, the antagonist of reality. Grapes of wrath shows the bleakness of the world through the perspective of poverty, through the suffering of humanity.  Double Indemnity is showing the bleakness of the American Dream, how even someone like Walter isn't necessarily happy, even though he is successful. Grapes of Wrath is uplifting in a way. We a shown strong valiant characters, who work together in hard times and we feel very connected to each of them, a little glimmer of hope. That people, even in a time of true poverty are able to have a choice of free will; that quality is represented strongly in Casey's charater. Double Indemnity has very little hope, if any at all. It gives us a bleak world where money only seems to bring sadness. At the beginning the film asks whether humans have free will. Will Walter kill Mr. Dietrichson? As the film goes along it seems that he has no choice. He is a good man at the beginning of the film, and we learn that even the kindness of people can commit a murder. There is no crime I wouldn't commit. Both of these films are giving the audience on something much bigger. It is not the environment that you that decides you happiness, it is you.

That glimmer of hope is Keys. In this bleak world of the film he is the reason we can bare the film. Throughout the whole film Barton has been an extremely good friend to Walter and in a way is the reason that the narrative of the film occurs. First of all, Edward G. Robinson has his signature stamped all over the movie, his cigar smoking. The film played off of this for whenever Barton would go to find a lighter, Walter would be there to light it. Keys has all of the power until the end of the film. As Walter attempts to light his match, Keyes comes and lights Walters cigarette. Barton in a way has submitted to fate like Walter has. He has become a part of the whole mess and he knows it. As he lights that match, he has given over his power, for he is helping a criminal and also his friend. It is the relationship between Barton and Walter, Walter and Phyllis that creates the film. Walter is merely infatuated with Phyllis which has the side effects of Mr. Dietrichson. Unfortunately, neither of the main characters are likable. There is a part of me that wanted Walter to get caught the whole time. Unfortunately he doesn't. The Audience feels no sympathy towards Walter or Phyllis and so have truly no investment in the murder. Keyes is the only character who we have an emotional investment in, we our rooting for him to catch Walter. The relationship between the audience and Walter is important, since we think that Walter, the man on the scene 90% of the time is going to be the protagonist.

Rating: *