Double Indemnity Analysis

Cinematography:

The opening to Double Indemnity uses an establishing shot to show the erratic driving of the boss of the insurance firm. This makes the audience wonder what has happened or what is he speeding towards? When the car finally stops and the man exits the car the camera uses a tracking shot to follow the action as he enters the building. When he then enters the lift a two shot is used which is very effective as we still haven't seen the main characters face yet and he is resilient to carry on the conversation which also raises questions within the audience creating an air of mystery surrounding the character. As the main character enters his office we see him sit down (mid-shot) and as he has taken his jacket off it is revealed that he has been shot which is very mysterious for the audience as they do not know what has occurred previously. The next shot is a close up as he records the 'confession' which allows the audience to see the emotion in his face which is very effective.

Mise-en-Scene:

The main character is very mysterious. This is created for the audience through the costume as he is wearing a long trench coat so we can not see underneath it and a hat which covers his face for most of the opening. This character is also made more suspicious for the audience as when we see him drive it is very edgy which unnerves the audience as they do not know what is going on or going to happen. When the character sits down during the opening sequence he lights a cigarette which is very typical of the time as they didn't know the true harmful effects of smoking which helps to show the time the film was made (late 1930s). As it is a black and white film (film noir as it is classified today) the dull lighting and darkness aids in the prevention of revealing the main character as he is in the shadows. When it is revealed that the character has been shot, we see that he is wearing a suit which is very typical for the time the film was made/set as it is also seen in 'Kiss Me Deadly'.

Sound:

As soon as the credits start to roll we hear a very fast paced and edgy piece of music which creates a tense atmosphere for the film which is reinforced through the following shots as nothing is revealed to the audience creating an air of mystery. There is dialogue in the opening which is not usual for the thrillers we see today, the dialogue helps to tell the time period and the status of the characters as one is the boss and the other character operates the lift.

Editing:

Considering the time period in which the film was made there is no specialised effects within the film apart from the titles which are very particular. The size of the text that contained your name depends on the importance of the role played which is a very good idea as it easily communicates to the audience who is important. Also after the titles are shown they fade away to reveal a creepy background of a man with a limp walking towards the screen which is very mysteriouse.