Noir heroes dread to look ahead, but instead try to survive by the day, and if unsuccessful at that, they retreat to the past. Thus film noir's techniques emphasise loss, nostalgia, lack of clear priorities, and insecurity, then submerge these self-doubts in mannerism and style. In such a world style becomes paramount ; it's all that separates one from meaninglessness.
Paul Schrader
Notes on Film Noir
1976
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As one commentator noted, film noir is about losers. My opinion, to the extent anyone cares, is that most film noirs are a validation of biblical narrations. The trajectory or downward spiral starts out as happiness, then temptation,then hubris, and finally, damnation. And all because of an irresistible vixen who cursed our poor protagonist onto a path of self-destruction. Almost like they turned the neon lights onto the Garden of Eden.
ReplyDeleteYes that's the whole idea in a nutshell.
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