Film Noir Flashcards
1
Q
Film Noir
A
Everything is suspect… everyone is for sale… and nothing is what it seems.
2
Q
The Woman
A
Femme Fatale = Fatal Woman
- being close to her will kill you literally or emotionally
- sexy & sexually active
- not married
- craves independence
- manipulative
- likes control
- will lie, cheat, steal, blackmail, kill, if necessary
Resolutions:
1) death
2) goes to jail
3) apologizes for her old ways & changes
3
Q
The Man
A
We identify with him.
- most developed character
- he changes the most
- believes world is corrupt -> police, insurance
- complicated family history
- no current family ties
- closed off emotionally
- not looking for love
- will get manipulated by femme fatale
- career is life
4
Q
The Family
A
- family is absent-> never seen, rarely mentioned
- marriage is seen as passionless & makes you lose your freedom
5
Q
The Iconography
A
Themes, visuals & sounds specific to a genre.
- city
- corruption
- crimes-> murder
- guns
- everyone is a suspect
- secrets
- gloomy weather-> symbolic
- smoking
- police officers
- voiceover-> male
- very little blood
- not a true happy ending
- *shadows-> venetion blind shadows-> trapped
6
Q
In what ways is Lynn Bracken a traditional femme fatale?
A
- sexy
- sexual-> prostitute
- not married
- she changes in end
- destroys a piece of Bud White
- almost got Exley killed
7
Q
In what ways does Lynn Bracken differ from a traditional femme fatale?
A
- not fully in control-> belongs to Pierce
- never actually kills
- truly cares about Bud
- complicated family ties
8
Q
How is Ed Exley typical of men in film noirs?
A
- no current mentions of family
- complicated family history
- job-> life
- changes a lot
9
Q
What Iconography typical of a film noir did you see in L.A. Confidential?
A
- city
- corruption
- murder
- guns
- gloomy weather
- cops
- voice over-> Sid
- secrets
10
Q
Family is never seen in the film, but family is mentioned. What role does family seem to play in the lives of these characters?
A
- Jack-> never mentioned once
- Bud-> father killed mother in front of him
- Sid-> never mentioned
- Captain Smith-> married with children-> they are away
