American Film Comparative Study. American Film – Comparative Study Context 1.Why are the classic noir films obsessed with the femme fatale? 2.Why are

American FilmComparative Study

American Film – Comparative Study

Context1. Why are the classic noir films obsessed with the

femme fatale?2. Why are the male protagonists usually loners?3. Why is the look of the films so stylised?4. List some classic noir film titles.5. What effect did the Second World War have on the

films? Think both style and content.


Context1. What rules were in place in the 1940s that affected

the content of films made then?2. What effect did it have on Film Noir?3. The noir films had to adopt a series of subtle

signifiers to convey atmosphere. Give some examples.

4. Why are the male protagonists usually loners?5. What was a B-Movie and how did they affect the

noir style?


Style1. What characterises costume in noir?2. What themes/narrative structures

characterise the genre?3. What is characteristic about noir lighting?4. Where are noir films usually set?5. What is characteristic about the dialogue in

Film Noir?

Narrative

1. What factors constitute a typical noir plot?2. What is a common device used to structure a

typical noir plot?3. How does narrative structure affect the way

we judge character actions?


Neo-Noir

1. Can you name any examples of neo-noir?2. What is the difference between parody and pastiche?3. What factors separate neo-noir from classic noir?4. What do we mean by ‘playfulness’ in neo-noir?5. How has the production context changed from the 40s to the

90s?6. How has the portrayal of women changed from classic noir to

neo-noir?7. How has the portrayal of men changed?



Edward Hopper’s paintings were said to have been a visual influence on the noir style. In what way?


What is it about this image from a noir film that has clear genre signifiers?

Stranger on the Third Floor (1940)









Double Indemnity

1. What factors make the film a ‘quintessential’ noir?

2. Give an example how a key scene demonstrates:

• gender issues• key noir style in mise-en-scene,

iconography, etc• 40s ideology

The Last Seduction

1. What factors make the film a ‘quintessential’ neo-noir?

2. Give an example how a key scene demonstrates:• gender issues• key noir style in mise-en-scene, iconography, etc• 90s ideology

3. Is The Last Seduction a B-Movie? Explain.


1. List comparisons between Double Indemnity and The Last Seduction. Use examples.

2. List contrasts between Double Indemnity and The Last Seduction. Use examples.

Documents

American Film Comparative Study. American Film – Comparative Study Context 1.Why are the classic noir films obsessed with the femme fatale? 2.Why are