Characteristics of Film Noir

"The primary moods of classic film noir were melancholy, alienation, bleakness, disillusionment, disenchantment, pessimism, ambiguity, moral corruption, evil, guilt, desperation and paranoia." - www.filmsite.com/filmnoir.html

Most of the characters in Film Noir were basically the usual Heroes and Anti-heroes but quite often characters were given more depth and meaning in order for them to appear more unique and interesting i.e. cops, gangsters or low lives from the shadows of the gloomy underworld of violent crime and corruption. Basically they were cynical, sexual, sinister and struggling to survive in the world. The way they are portrayed determines further what sort of i.e. Hero or Villain they are and what there outcome will be in the story.

Storylines were twisting, narratives were complex, it was typically told through the use of foreboding background music, flashbacks and razor-sharp dialogue. Amnesia suffering characters was a common plot device as was the crumbling life of everyman who fell victim to being framed and tempted by the dark. Revelations were used to justify a characters cynical perspective of life.

Film noir movies were mostly shot in gloomy grays, blacks and whites. Typically showed the dark inhumane side of human nature with cynicism. They emphasized the brutal, shadowy, dark and sadistic sides of the human experience. An oppressive atmosphere of menace, suspicion, that anything can go wrong, dingy realism, defeat and entrapment were stylized characteristics of film noir.

Film noir films were marked visually by expressionistic lighting, deep-focus or depth of field camerawork, disorienting visual schemes, jarring editing, ominous shadows, circling cigarette smoke. Continuity Editing created more of a tension between certain characters in order to emphasise the moment alot more. Settings were often interior with low key lighting, Venetian blinded windows and rooms and dark claustrophobic gloomy appearances. Exterior settings were often urban night scenes with deep shadows, wet asphalt, dark alleyways, rain-slicked or mean streets, flashing neon lights and low key lighting. Story locations were often murky dark streets, hotel rooms or dimly lit low rent apartments.

High angles were used to make a certain character appear weak and small to another character (main character) it is used basically so the audience can understand the position the characters in and the certain situation at that certain point.

CUs are used to show someones emotion it is used in various ways such as to show a characters vulnerability or reaction to a certain thing. These are excellent for building up suspense in a tense scene.