Question 1: In film noir, many of the male leads are weak, frustrated men. While you are watching Double Indemnity, make a mental note of Walter Neff’s characteristics. What kind of man is he? What is his relationship like with women?
In the movie Double Indemnity, Walter Neff is an insurance salesman who is convinced by Phyllis Dietrichson to help her kill her husband in order to gain his insurance money. In the beginning of the film, when Walter first comes to the Dietrichson's home, he seems like a determined salesman just trying to do his job...until he sees Phyllis. As soon as he sees Phyllis, his focus seems to switch to trying to impress her. He remains as confident as he was before, but already appears to be under Phyllis' "spell". At his office, Walter also seems confident and sure of who he is, especially when he is talking to his boss, Keyes. Walter will often joke with Keyes and try to push his buttons. At one point, Walter is nagging on Keyes so much that Keyes threatens to throw his desk at him. The next time Walter meets Phyllis at the Dietrichson's home, he seems willing to do just about anything for her. When Walter picks up on Phyllis' plan, he becomes frustrated that she is only trying to use him and he leaves. Later, when she comes over to his apartment, he acts stubborn and like he is not going to tolerate her using him at first. Then, he gives in to her and agrees to help her with her plan to murder Mr. Dietrichson. Throughout the rest of the film, Walter's confidence seems to dwindle and he becomes more reliant on Phyllis, who appears to be the dominant of the two. Later in the film when he starts hanging out with Lola (even the very first time when she just appears in his car and he agrees to take her to meet her boyfriend), I noticed how it seemed like he would do anything for her as well. Overall, I think Walter Neff is a confident, intelligent man, but under the influence of women, can become easily persuaded into doing anything for them, even if it could be harmful to him.
You look at his relationship with the women in the film and deem him manipulated--but is he actually using this as a facade?
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