This shot from Double Indemnity shows Neff in Phyllis's living room waiting for her to arrive. Neff is not centered in the shot, he is positioned in the left third of the frame. This still is shot like this, in order to show his surroundings. The living room is spacious and well-furnished indicating that Phyllis and her husband are very wealthy. From what we can see in the frame, the room has many lamps, yet none of them are turned on, the room is only lit from natural light coming from the window. The window is furnished with blinds, which casts a horizontal shadow across the room, making the room appear hazy and mysterious. In the right hand part of the shot, lies two picture frames resting on a piano. The pictures are off Phyllis's husband and step-daughter. The bright light illuminating from the window seems to be directed towards the right part of the frame, right where the picture frames are. White bright light, tends to mean goodness and purity, and by having the light cast over Phyllis's husband and daughter, can mean that the true good people are them and not Phyllis, because she is not framed nor casted in light, in this shot. This can also be interpreted as Phyllis not having a role within the family, or importance to either her husband or daughter. To the left of where Neff is standing lies a fish bowl on top of a desk. It appears as if Neff is staring directly into it. A fish living in a bowl is trapped, and has no where to go. This is symbolic and can connect to Neff's life because he knows that he is trapped due to the murder he committed. He knows that there is no way out for him and that he is trapped just like the fish in the fish bowl.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, I completely agree with what you are saying. Light tends to define truth, purity, and good. Since the light is on Mrs. Dietrichson's husdand and daughter, it probably tells us that her husband doesn't deserve to die and that her daughter tells the truth. Since the light is disordered by the blinds, it could tell us that something mysterious might be coming. The fish is trapped in the bowl. Since Neff is staring at the bowl, it could tell us that he knows that he is in a difficult position and he is trying to find a way out. Good job!
DeleteThis is a Good look at the surroundings but the murder has not happened yet so the fish boll could be a premonition. I like what you say about the purity of the husband and step daughter and the way light plays into highlighting who is actually good in this movie. Does this image really sum up wealth to you? it looks quite drab. but really good ideas
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI like the emphasis you put on the lighting of the shot. Your focus on the fact that the light is not coming from the lamps but from outside is interesting, I like how you interpreted it as creating a "hazy and mysterious" setting. Why does this scene need to be hazy and mysterious? I never thought about why Phyllis isn't included in the pictures on the piano, I like your idea that she really isn't a part of the family.
ReplyDeleteGreat comments about the lighting and props in this image, Danielle. I never thought of the fish bowl the way you did.
ReplyDelete