Double Indemnity (1944) review

Hailed by many as the greatest Film-Noir of all time, I was definitely in need of checking out Double Indemnity. As someone who is growing a love for classic films, I decided not to have any sort of high expectations and thankfully, Double Indemnity is not only an intriguing film but it is a film as close to perfect as possible. It does something interesting that most films at the time of its release would never have done, which is reveal the big “secret” within the opening minutes hence allowing the audience to be fully invested within the characters and in order for them to effectively enjoy the film that much more.

Fred MacMurray plays a salesman named Walter Neff who recounts the events leading to the death of Mr Dietrichson, as he meets Ms Dietrichson and forms a strange affair with her. The strange affair leads to the seductive Phyllis Dietrichson persuading Walter to join her in a scheme to kill her husband and in order to receive an indemnity. Realizing that there is indeed ‘a double indemnity’ if killed on a train, they agree to do so but an insurance manager, Keyes, shows his suspicion about the death of Mr Dietrichson and attempts to solve the crime.

Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity is one of the greatest films from the Golden Age of cinema, featuring fantastic performances by Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck, who resemble and embody the characters. Barbara is shown as a rather lifeless woman, yet seductive especially how she initially acts around Neff. Walter is portrayed as a rather wise and cunning man, as portrayed at the end of the film. Keyes, played by Edward Robinson was truly fantastic in his role as he truly embodies every bit of characterization of Keyes. He outsmarts those around him, his determination to solve the death is evident and his inability to be fooled is quite easily evident.

The story is fantastic, complex and deeply layered giving each character enough depth, even Mr Dietrichson’s daughter. Each character is still easy to understand and their motivations are clear. The story telling structure is very clever and how the story unfolds is even better. The cinematography is gorgeous, the lighting often stands out.

It isn’t just a crime/drama tale. It has all the essentials for a masterpiece with an ability to mix in various genres such as thriller and romance. With this, Wilder accomplishes far more than he otherwise would have. A near perfect film that exceeds in every department of film making. 

Grade- 10/10

#10- Casablanca (1942) review

Of all the films coming from the era of classics, Casablanca is what I believe to be the greatest, the most memorable and simply the most enjoyable of all the greats. Featuring fantastic performances, to amazing storytelling, Casablanca is 100 minutes of cinematic perfection- a word that I have rarely used to call a film. 

Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart star in Casablanca, a 1942 romance film which is often considered the best of its genre, rivalled only be the 1939 Gone With The Wind. Casablanca tells the tale, set during the late stages of WW2, regarding letters of transit which were given to Rick, the owner of the most popular shop around. One day, his former lover from Paris, who coldly left him returns to Casablanca and seeks the letters of transit for herself and her husband. Casablanca is a film that is more than what it sounds. What may appear to the eye can be misjudged in its depth characters and engaging storyline. 



The cast for the film is fantastic and Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman are virtually unbelievable in the film, sharing incredible chemistry and perhaps, the most iconic relationship in cinema history which has now been countless parodized. Both deliver incredibly powerful performances that truly elevate the film. The film is further elevated by amazing storytelling and iconic quotes and sequences to add to an already amazing film. The cinematography in the film looks great and even to this day, has aged fantastically. None of the comedic lines in the film seem to have aged badly but instead still make you giggle. The rest of the cast do a fantastic job, each playing interesting characters.

Casablanca is quite possibly, the most iconic film of its era featuring classic lines such as "We'll always have Paris", "Play it once more Sam, for old times sake!", "Here's looking at you kid!", "This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship" and various other lines. The entire sequence at the end of the film is unbelievably iconic, having been imitated several dozen times. To love movies is an incorrect judgment for any who have not seen the film as the amazing characters and story, along with fantastic direction and writing and incredibly powerful performances are a true loss to any who have yet to view this film. Do take your time and do view the film. You'll be doing yourself a favor!  

It's A Wonderful Life (1946) review

Praised to death by movie buffs and critics alike, 'It's A Wonderful Life' is often considered to be one of the greatest films of all time and for certain, one of the greatest family films and Christmas films alike. As a person who is currently planning to view classic films, I realized that I had to check out 'It's A Wonderful Life' and did not regret it afterwards. 

James Stewart stars as George Bailey and Donna Reed stars as his wife, Mary Hatch in this absolute family classic. The story is one of extreme depth and emotion as the film takes around three quarters of the duration before the actual plot begins, but never does the film truly bore you. Filled with amazing black and white cinematography, fantastic acting and often great humorous relief, 'It's A Wonderful Life' truly succeeds at creating such a universe and letting one immerse themselves in the story. To not care entirely for
'It's A Wonderful Life' would clearly show that one would not be human at all as this film deals with great emotion as George Bailey comes the lowest point in his life, full of struggle and frustration that he wishes he were dead so that he would not have to deal with this pain and so that his film would be happier. It is then, that George's guardian angel, Clarence, who had been paying attention to him since he were a child, arrives and gives a tour of what life would be for everyone had George not been born. 



I had absolutely no idea how this film would turn out. I wasn't even sure whether this would be a film that I would enjoy very much but the film is structured fantastically and the writing and directing is amazing. The best element of the film is the attention to detail on George's character and how much backstory there is. Even the small things such as his father or his brother turn into something more important for George. The way the film depicts everything about George was fantastic. From the scene with him as a child, saving his brother, I was endeared by the character. Of course, a great character only works with fantastic acting and Jimmy Stewart delivers just this in the grandest of style! His ability to display emotion throughout the film is unbelievable, completely allowing anyone to buy the character and the performance. In fact, for much of the film, you forget that Stewart is actually acting in the film! 


Not only is the film amazing in terms of cinematography and depth of characters but the film offers such fantastic moments such as everything at the end of the film involving Clarence. The emotional aspect of the film is truly terrific with each scene carefully crafted, featuring just the perfect amount of emotion to it. Even the humor, which is plentiful in such a film, is done in a way that it does not overplay the humorous side of the film and unbalance the tone. These sequences are so immersive and the fact that this is a feel good Christmas film just truly ensures that this film delivers. The characters are truly unforgettable, the acting and story is amazing, written and directed intelligently, 'It's A Wonderful Life' truly exceeds at being a masterpiece in every way and it is indeed, no surprise that this film be ranked so highly on many of the top films list, most notably IMDb's infamous top 250, to which it holds a place at 29. 'It's A Wonderful Life' is truly an unforgettable classic that shall live for generations. Literally, the greatest Christmas film ever made. They don't get better than this. 

 
Grade- 9.5/10 

The Third Man (1949) review

Orson Welles is one of the great directors from the Golden Age of cinema and whilst I did enjoy his masterpiece, 'Citizen Kane', I found it rather underwhelming and wasn't sure whether my decision to see 'The Third Man' would be a correct one. Would it be one that I would regret? Would it be one to be grateful of? Most definitely. Saying that I enjoyed 'The Third Man' is such an understatement. It doesn't do the movie any justice whatsoever.

In 'The Third Man', Joseph Cotton plays an author by the name of Holly Martins who was sent an invitation by his good friend, Harry Limes, to come and visit him but to Martins' misfortune, Limes had been killed in a car accident a short while earlier. And so, begins the story of Holly Martins' investigation as to how exactly Limes died when he begins to believe that maybe Limes' death was not caused by an accident but a murder of some sort. 



Much like 'Citizen Kane', 'The Third Man' is yet another Orson Welles masterpiece. Everywhere the film went, it continued to surprise me. Whether it be my inability to spot plot twists or whether it be the fact that I had no idea what the story would be about, I do not know. Joseph Cotten is absolutely fantastic in his role as Martins. He brings such a attention grabbing performance in this film that you really buy the pain that he goes through. His relationship with Limes' wife, Ms Schdmit, is also done well and feels realistic all due to the credit of Cotten's fantastic performance. Constantly, you can see the fright in his eyes and you really buy it. In fact, most of the intense sequences in this film work due to Cotten's facial expressions. His acting was masterful in this film. 

Spoilers ahead: This is my very first time watching this film and twenty years later, when I think of this film, there will be a scene that will stick in my mind. I am referring to the iconic sequence in the middle of night, following the scene with Martins and Limes' wife, where Martins begins to show his feelings towards Ms Scdmit by saying that it was her who wanted him to find a girl. In the scene, in the middle of the night, the intensity is felt. Every bit of the wind blowing is felt. The intensity is right in your face. Then it happens, first by a cat meow'ing followed by a shadowy figure, then you see it! This was the most shocking thing I'd seen in quite a while and it had been done in a way that I was completely blinded all the way through! You see it! You see the iconic figure of Orson Welles' Harry Limes from rather afar then the camera continues to zoom in! What made this all the while better was the fact that you were never shown the picture to Harry Limes earlier, when his wife was looking at the picture! The face was such an iconic thing!

 

That was such an iconic moment and it all worked. This could easily have turned into some stupid ghostly, mythical story from here on in but it wasn't. The fact that these characters had depth to them and heart to them was just fantastic. Even Harry Limes, after the truth about him is revealed, which was yet another absolute shock to me, there was still some good in him which you felt. Orson Welles also gives such an amazing performance, as he always can. 

The acting was unbelievable, no doubt! The black and white cinematography looked immaculate throughout the entire film but nothing looked better than the iconic introduction to Harry Limes as well as the scenes in the tunnel at the end of the film, where Limes tries to make yet another escape. This scene looked breathtaking and the entire sequence, which lasted close to ten minutes was intensifying. It was nailbiting stuff by the end of the film. The emotion displayed moments before the death of Limes was great. Yet another perfect moment in acting. 

The music is such a strength in this film. The composer of this film gave some truly intense musical scores, especially at the end. Again, the score isn't put into any bloody and gory sequences but into regularly intense scenes. There were plenty of moments where the score's intensity had me absolutely glued to my seat in a way that I rarely am. Whilst I am currently creating a list of my favorite 25 films of all time, it is such a pity to see that this film falls only a very few places short of it. 

'The Third Man' is a rather underrated Welles masterpiece. The performances, the story, the characters and the tone of the film are undeniably superb as are the black and white cinematography and the scenes and how perfectly they fit into the film. 'The Third Man' is one of the perfect films of the 1940s, right up there with Casablanca and Citizen Kane. 

Grade- 10/10
Absolutely perfect. An unbelievable film with great performances, amazing cinematography and fantastic storytelling. Includes the most iconic entrance to a character of all time!