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Double Indemnity

"Double Indemnity" is one of the best films of all time, not necessarily because of its story but because of the acting, direction, cinematography, lighting, and the narrative style. At the time this film was released, the idea of revealing who the killer was in the opening scene was virtually unheard of, but it ended up being very effective because it allowed the audience to concentrate more on other elements of the film, which was the goal of Billy Wilder, the director. Instead of trying to figure out who the perpetrator was, there is more emphasis on how the crime was pulled off, what mistakes were made during the murder, who betrayed who, how close Barton Keyes was getting to solving the case, and probably most importantly, what kind of person Walter Neff is and whether or not sympathy should be felt toward him.
            Phyllis Dietrichson represents what is called "femme fatale," a very attractive woman that leads a man into a dangerous, difficult or doomed situation.   She is a particularly cold and ruthless manipulator who has no difficulty in ruining other people's lives in various ways (including death, if necessary) in order to get what she wants. The "femme fatale," also uses her sexual prowess, seductiveness, and emotional detachment to drag unsuspicious person, generally an interested man, into a scheme from which she is expected to profit deeply.   Phyllis decides to recruit Walter Neff for this task, an insurance salesman.   First he refuses and appears somewhat offended, but after she pays a visit to his apartment, he easily becomes a victim in her evil conniving plan against her husband.   In addition, he voluntarily plots out the death of her husband, and decides to kill him on her behalf in the hopes that they will get the insurance money and be together.
Phyllis Dietrichson and Walter Neff have amazing chemistry. Their attraction is incredibly well portrayed, and the development of their relationship often so convincing that what happens...