This shot from Double Indemnity takes place just as Keyes is leaving Neff's apartment after visiting to let Neff know that he's close to figuring out the Mr. Dietrichson murder case. Phyllis has arrived just in time to hear Keyes begin to make an exit, allowing her barely enough time to quickly hide. I think the way the scene is set up with the lighting, the dimly lit hallway, and the placement of the characters is really representative of the movie's plot. First, we've got Phyllis hidden away from view (but still in the view of the viewers) while Keyes is further down the hallway with his back towards the audience. Finally, Neff is standing in his doorway, half blocked by the door. Keyes is oblivious to what Neff has done, so his distant placement in the shot shows that.
One of the interesting things about this shot is that each character has their back facing the audience, making it so that we can't see their faces. This goes to show that each of them has their own hidden thoughts, ideas, and motives regarding the murder. The placement of Neff in this shot is key, because it shows him in the middle of two of his closest alliances, who just so happen to be working against each other. Another interesting piece to the shot is the darkness (clothing/lightning) of Phyllis and Keyes on either side of Neff, to Neff's central, brighter lighting. Putting Phyllis behind the door and in the shadows and Keyes on the other side of the frame in another shadow only strengthens this idea that Neff is in the middle of a situation (two alliances) that he can't escape from. This shot creates an almost spine tingling moment of mystery for the viewers who are on the edge of their seats as Keyes almost catches Phyllis. With a dark set and dark characters, this shot brings Neff into the light, directing the viewers eyes to the movements and actions of the main character in charge of piecing together the crime the story centers around. Overall, shadows play a big part in this film, especially in this shot, because they're able to deliver darkness into settings, like a residential hallway, that wouldn't normally be so dark.
Great post, Harry. I like your comments about the shadowing in this shot.
ReplyDeleteQuite a few people have written about this image, so check out some of your classmates' posts.
Hi Harry,
ReplyDeleteI really like your point about not being able to see any of their faces. I agree that it represents all of their mysterious motives, thoughts, and ideas. At this point in the scene, only Neff is holding onto the doorknob, but their is an interesting power shift in terms of who is touching the doorknob throughout the scene. I believe Phyllis is more in control of it for the majority of the time, which is representative of their relationship. Great post! -Maggie
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ReplyDeleteHey Harry!
ReplyDeleteI really like the emphasis you put on the shadows and lighting. You really added a lot of detail, like when you talked about all the darkness within the shot. You used a lot of descriptive language in your writing, i really liked the line you used, "This shot creates an almost spine tingling moment of mystery for the viewers who are on the edge of their seats as Keyes almost catches Phyllis." Great writing! I like how you described what Phyllis was wearing, when i was watching the film, i didn't take into account what she was wearing at the time in this scene could be so significant. Good Post!