Double Indemnity analysis

Film title:
The film title is presented in a very effective way as it immediately captivates the audience’s attention, which enviably causes immediate curiosity. The whole frame is filled, with white, bold capital letters filling the majority of it, apart from the dark, contrasting background. Curiosity is also created within the viewer as a silhouetted man appears to be walking in the background with crutches. How did this man end up on crutches? Who IS this man? How is he relevant to this film? This combination sub-consciously intrigues an audience to ask questions, which leaves them wanting more out of this film- to challenge their own instincts to see if they were right.

Setting/Location:
The opening sequence is located in Los Angeles, which was a very successful and famous country during the time the film was released. This connotes that perhaps the main characters from this film are wealthy; suggesting that the silhouetted mans injury was due to some involvement in money that had gone wrong. This also places stereotypes on the characters before they're fully introduced, already giving the audience a concept of what the film or characters may be about. Another part of the opening sequence is filmed in an office in a building, where the audience is led to believe that the man is going to an insurance office. Yet again the location gives the audience a subtle clue as to what may be the theme of the movie, which you are inclined to believe is money. The main character also arrives during the night time, and as night is a connotation of danger and negative imagery, it makes the audience suspicious of him. This continues to draw the viewers in, my indirectly asking those questions and so on.
Costumes/Props:
Near the beginning of the opening sequence, a car is shown to be driven extremely eratically and fast. This adds suspense during the scene as this fast-paced dynamic movement could add panic among the viewers. Yet again this leaves the audience question as to what is going on, leaving them intrigued. Why are they they driving so fast? Have they got an emergency? Where are they going? The questions asked keep the audience inquisitive and wanting to find out more, therefore they're most likely to continue to watch the movie. It could also be linked to the reason the silhouette was injured at the very beginning, as the audience are led to believe that he is driving the car, and therefore crashes. The driver then continues to go through a red light, arousing suspicion and isolation within the audience, as they're intrigued as to what might happen next. The character that was driving the car is seen to be wearing a trench coat and a top hat, which is similar clothing to the silhouetted man on crutches at the very beginning of the opening sequence, showing the character's status in the film, and of him importance and power.
Editing/Camera Work:
The first shot used in the opening sequence is of an establishing shot, framing a main road with a sign post that reads 'Los Angeles Railway Cor.' This immediately sets the scene and informs the audience that the opening sequence will be located in one of America's most famous cities. Moreover, in this shot there are many lights among both sides of the street, informing the viewer that it is currently night, and these lamps are the little amount of peace and quiet the streets have left. There is another effective shot used during the opening sequence. As the man enters the office late at night, a long shot is used to emphasise the use of space in this frame, as everything in the room seems to be empty. This connotes that this man is suspicious, and causes tension amongst the viewers. Also, there is a level mid-shot of two men in the lift together. This level shot emphasises the man’s height and stature, displaying signs of power and authority. Both men’s statuses may cause tension for the readers, as their patriarchal may take over, and they might find that they're competing with one another. Lastly, there is a high angled mid shot of man sitting down with what appears to be a gunshot wound. The man is then shown to be lighting a cigarette which could connote stress and anxiety. Smoking also has connotations of addiction, which could be metaphorically used to suggest that whatever this man has become involved in has become an addiction, something difficult to just quit. The high angled mid shot allow the man to appear vulnerable and defenceless.