Ivan Lalic
Crime and love story intertwined were a trademark in classic Hollywood thriller and Billy Wilder's script about an insurance agent (MacMurray) falling for a seductive dame (Stanwyck) is no excuse.
All the usual elements of such a story are there, a basic simple, yet smart plot, some sharp turns in the script and a macho sweet and sour finale as well. When you combine all that together, you get a good, yet not unforgettable box office crowd pleaser.
"Double indemnity" is a classic within a classic era, a strong mainstream contender without any highs or lows.
Antonio Kowatsch
The movie tells the story of an insurance representative (Walter Neff) who embarked on a crazy mission of insurance fraud after he fell in love with a married woman. Thinking that he could get away with it because he knows all the tricks in the book he devised a special plan for an insurance scam. Blinded by love he implicated himself in many ways to make the plan work. And he also became quite greedy as he aimed for the "double indemnity clause" to extract the most money possible. But in the end it all came to shambles as he realized that Mr. Keyes was far more clever (and perceptive) than he initially assumed. It didn't help much that his accomplice wasn't quite the person that he thought she was. As the movie progresses towards the finale his relationship with Phyllis is starting to corrode. What I found interesting was the way in which the movie was shot. The movie starts out with Walter rushing into Mr. Keyes office to record a voice memo. He seemed visibly distraught and appeared to be bleeding out of a gunshot wound in his left shoulder. This hasty beginning automatically arouses the interest of the viewer. What happened?; we find ourselves asking. And as Walter begins to record the voice memo we get to see the story as he recollects it. Throughout the movie he's narrating his own actions by means of that voice memo and as the story ends we finally arrive at the present moment; the story comes full circle so to speak. Storytelling-wise that's really clever.I also really enjoyed the dialogues in the first half of the movie. They were very witty and had character. Style-wise the movie is a classic "Film Noir" movie.
Paul Evans
Walter Neff arrives at the home of The Dietrichson family, to sell insurance. While the husband absent he gets acquainted with Phyllis, the unhappily married second wife of Dietrichson. Being an insurance Salesman Neff knows the ins and outs, in particular how to commit the perfect murder. The pair hatch a plan, but Neff's colleague Barton Keyes starts to unravel the complex plan Walter and Phyllis concocted.I love the film noir genre, there were some superb offerings, there's a strong case for naming Double Indemnity as the best of the lot. Firstly the story itself, so wonderfully complex, loaded with twists and turns. Secondly the acting, so strong, Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck are superb as the film's leads. I particularly love the way that Walter narrates the story, an original format, getting it from his point of view. First time viewers are in for a treat, and will have zero idea of what the conclusion will be. Even now it looks so slick, excellent production values throughout, quite simply this film is exceptional. 10/10
shadow_blade-89459
"Double Indemnity" (1944) is a detective's dream film. The movie is about Walter Neff, an insurance salesman played by Fred MacMurray, who is manipulated by Phillis Dietrichson, a married woman played by Barbara Stanwyck, in to attempting to kill her husband. This movie is the gold standard for Film Noir.Billy Wilder, well known for his witty and hypocrisy challenging story-telling, pulled no punches in this story. From the opening scene, he details what has happened through narration of the main character. He invites you on a ride filled with twists and turns.The film is black and white with purpose. Wilder moves his story from light to dim to dark not only with the story, but with the visuals in the film. This movie was a very well put together piece with a strong, captivating story. I have never been a huge fan of silent films, but this is Film Noir at its finest.
AD
