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Usually at the centre of a Noir is a morally dubious protagonist who struggles to survive the seedy criminal underworld, overcome his personal demons and, of course, resist the charms of a femme fatale. Usually this protagonist is a private eye, cop, gangster or a simple low-life, who despite possessing a cynical outlook on the world still falls victim
Recommendations: Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep, Burt Lancaster in Criss Cross
The above-mentioned male protagonist invariably falls prey to the charms of a chain smoking femme fatale. Always presented at first as alluring, mysterious and altogether irresistible, the femme fatale plays to strengths to seduce the man and manipulate him to her own personal ends.
Recommendations: Rita Hayworth in The Lady From Shanghai, Gene Tierney in Laura, Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity, Ava Gardner in The Killers
Rather than see black-and-white cinema as a limitation, Film Noirs use the contrast of dark and light to create inventive visuals and memorable images. The use of long shadows, low-key lighting and Venetian blinds are all prominent, creating a shadowy world of alienation and deceit.
Recommendations: Chase scenes in The Third Man, Touch of Evil, the mirror maze in The Lady From Shanghai
Film Noirs are typically set in an Urban environment, presenting at as both dangerous and bleak. Common town used include New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, the streets of which are neon-lit an danger lies potentially behind every corner. These cities are usually frequented by seedy bars, where the protagonist can usually be found drowning his sorrows with shot after shot of whiskey.
Recommendations: New York in Sweet Smell of Success, Los Angeles in The Blue Dahlia and Sunset Boulevard
Though the golden age of the Film Noir has long since passed, it remains a popular choice of genre among film-makers. Directors such as Martin Scorsese, David Lynch, Quentin Tarantino and the Coen brothers have all borrowed from and paid homage to the Noir aesthetic, through there portrayal of crime, city life world-weary tone.
Recommendations: Chinatown, Taxi Driver, Blade Runner, Memento
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