Double Indemnity analysis

How does Wilder convey the characters and their relationship in the penultimate scene of Double Indemnity?

Wilder uses cinematography for example the use of shot types and shot angles to show and outline to the audience what the relationship between the featured actors in the scene. This is shown when the male actor enters and he is developed from a shadow and when is in the room and begins the opening speech of the scene he is only visible from the shoulders down, as his face is in complete shadow. This shows the relationship between the pair by adding mystery to the male and his intentions of the visit.

Wilder uses shot types to symbolise the relationship, he does this by using high angles on the ‘femme fatale’ of the film. This is done to show that the male actor has taken authority and demands dominance of the scene. This symbolises that the relationship between the two should not have even taken place and that it should not continue. Throughout the scene he remains partially in shadows mainly to hide his expressions and keep the audience ‘’in the dark’’ creating a sense of mystery. When the male actor enters he sits on the arm of a chair, this suggest that he is of a higher authority than her. This is suggested by the fact that he deliberately places himself higher than her implying to the audience that he has dominance in the ‘relationship’ between the two. The female actress sits on the chair without a care in the world and this could symbolise that she has the belief that she is more dominant in the situation. This suggests that she takes control of situations but in their relationship she does not have any control or say in what happens. Wilder uses composition to portray the disgrace of their relationship, this is done as in the background during the scene there is a large chair. The chair is not being used, this may symbolise the absence of her husband through the absence of use of it.

Wilder show the ‘femme fatale’ sitting comfortably in the chair this could be taken as her sitting comfortably in the situation that has been thrust upon her. This could show that she knew that the relationship between the pair should not have taken place! She continues to believe that she has authority until the end of the scene where she show emotion and her inner feelings. He had the authority and control of the action from the beginning of the scene. When he positions himself on the arm of the chair, showing that he has not come to stay and that he went there to do one thing and that was to tell her where they stand and what will happen.

Wilder uses lighting to create a tense atmosphere. He does this by using German Expressionist film as his influence. This is particularly evident when the light is shining through the window on the scene and creates the ‘bar like’ shadow. During the scene there is a clear line between dark and light. This is heightened when the male is standing in the entrance and his head is fully engulfed by shadow, where the rest of him is fully light. Thus disabling the audience to be able to see his reactions and responses to her input to the action. The tense atmosphere conveys the characters by showing the confilct and tention in the relationship between the two.

During the scene Wilder uses over the shoulder shot to disable the viewer to see the response of the other party involved in the action. This is particularly evident when she is talking during the scene and the camera is fully focused on her, this is a good use of camera positioning but does not allow the audience to see the reaction to the action. This disables the audience from seeing each of the characters reaction which therefore leaves the audience with not a full understanding of the characters and their relationship.

At the end of the featured scene the femme fatal uses a gun. But within missconception passes it over to the ‘hero’ the gun is used as a main part in the scene and that being the only prop. This is because the male is distracted and has turned away and his attention is elsewhere. His attention is put towards blocking out the patronising background music that is being played in the street this allow the femme fatale to regain her authority but only momentarily. He regains the authority by gaining access to the gun. During this part of the scene the gun is not only used as a physical weapon but also a mental one. Until the gun became part of the scene the relationship had not been addressed properly and the gun allowed that to happen. The femme fatale uses the gun as her realisation of the relationship that she wants to happen compared to the relationship that they currently have.