Double Indemnity (1944)

What’s the Story?

Told in flashback, this classic film noir centers on insurance salesman Walter Neff (Fred MacMurray), who pays a call to the home of Phyllis Dietrich (Barbara Stanwyck) and is immediately smitten with her. Glamorous Phyllis makes no secret about her unhappy marriage to an older man, and how much she'd like to see her husband get insured heavily -- and then die. Lovestruck Walter tells Phyllis that since he knows the business inside and out, he can stage a foolproof murder that will pay double. When Phyllis' husband "accidentally" breaks his neck, even Walter's sharp-eyed partner seems fooled -- temporarily. As the screws tighten on Walter, he starts to realize just how devious Phyllis can be.

Is It Any Good?

DOUBLE INDEMNITY has all the hallmarks of film noir – it's a moody, pessimistic crime story with strong overtones of spiritual bankruptcy and moral cynicism. The best of film noir sizzles with crackling, sardonic dialogue, veiled lust, terrific black-and-white photography, and overtones of impending doom. This is one of the best, all right, even if, like Casablanca, it's practically all talk.

Even today, these characters' jaded attitudes toward taking a life is bracingly sinister; as if right and wrong don't matter in this milieu, only getting caught or getting away with it. Add to this lack of remorse themes of obsession and betrayal and the power of great film noir is revealed.