Double Indemnity (1944) - Film Response

Double Indemnity is a film noir movie made in 1944 starring Fred MacMurray and Babara Stanwyck. It has themes of sex, seduction, murder and deceit.
I enjoyed the film as it is very different from other films we have been studying. I like films which explore gritty and dark themes as it seems to give much more to the audience as a film.
The portrayal of the femme fatale by Stanwyck was ingeniously done. Her subtle style of acting made the character seem a lot more sinister than just playing her in an explicit way.
Also, with film noir, the power of suggestion is utilised very well and adds to the film's overall darkness.

Up The Junction (1968) - Film Response

Up The Junction is a 1968 film directed by Peter Collinson and stars Suzy Kendall and Dennis Waterman.

I enjoyed this film as the main protagonist was a woman, named Polly, who was independent and knew what she wanted from life. She hated the whole privileged lifestyle and wanted to move away and make a life for herself – living off her own wages, and making her own way in the real world. No matter who tried to pigeon-hole her as posh and rich she kept investing in things that she could only pay for with her own hard earned cash.

 

She is shown to be strong as she is living through all the judgements everyone gives her, even her boyfriend, Peter. 

The ending was interesting – in my opinion, not the best way it could have gone – as she realises her money and status will always be there to get her what she wants and needs as she pleads to see Peter before he is sent off to prison for six months for stealing a car. She realises that he just wants to give her what she’s used to and she, also, realises that he doesn’t understand her wants and needs as the last shot of the film is her crying for not only losing her lover but also losing her identity. 

This film had a stronger representation of women than Alfie (1966) did because it was from a female perspective. All Alfie did was objectify women and in a way dehumanise them which is quite frustrating as a female viewer to hear women being called “it”. Then, in contrast, watching women doing what they want and how they want is quite an empowering thing.