1.5 Gun Crazy Discussion
Film noir emerges in the 1940s out of the gangster films of the 1930s.
While the pre-code gangster films of the 1930s feature graphic depictions of violence compared to crime films one decade later,
noir style reflects the darkness of postwar America.
Noir draws on the style of artistic movements such as German Expressionism to paint a bleak portrayal of life in the nuclear age.
The noir world is often described as a dark place, psychologically and morally, but also cinematographically.
The design of shots and the composition of images matter just as much as what is conveyed via story and plot.
Our discussion in this Module centers around Gun Crazy and how noir style illuminates the film's world of obsession, guns, robbery, star crossed love and death.
Discussion assignment for Gun Crazy
In your post please include the following, please ensure you meet a 300 word minimum in your discussion post. I have split the class into 2 Discussion Groups to make it more manageable for everyone.
You do not have to address every detail of the prompt, but your post should contribute to the discussion and not merely repeat what has already been posted by your classmates. While I encourage you to offer your personal views of the films in this Module, please refrain from unproductive summaries of story or plot and/or why a film is "good" or "bad."
Your analysIs should refer to course materials and reflect on how film style and history function. A post that earns full points will not merely agree with course materials, but will visually illustrate ideas in the reading. Do not forget to include embedded media (YouTube clip or image) that visualizes the example(s) in your post. Please make sure that you read all of the posts in your discussion group before posting. I cannot give full points to posts that duplicate examples or YouTube clips.
1) Please let the class know what films/genres you enjoy and share favorite directors, actors etc.
2)What is one of your favorite noir films or films influenced by noir? Why are you interested in it?
3)Please choose one scene from Gun Crazy and embed a screenshot or clip into your post.
4) Describe how one or more of the formal elements of the shot including: lighting, composition, cinematography, placement of characters and objects in the frame, decor, set design, and camera angles communicate something unique that story, plot, and dialogue alone do not.
5)How does noir style show the darkness of the time period described in the reading?
I do not expect your analysis to reflect a prior study of film, many of you are taking your first film class, but our goal is to begin looking at how formal design reflects unique historical periods and allows us to see film in a new way.
Do not duplicate discussion of a scene or event in the film already covered by one of your classmates who posted before you.
Post a profile picture. I encourage you to upload a picture of yourself. It aids discussion if we can look at an image of those we are communicating with. If you do not wish to upload a picture of yourself, please upload an image representative of your personality. This page provides assistance with posting a profile picture.
My Post 1-31-22:
Hello classmates, my name is Ida Z.
I ashamedly turned to Wikipedia to try to find out what was considered the genre for Yorgos Lanthimos films. They say it is, “Greek Weird Wave” involving films with “haunting cinematography, alienated protagonists and absurdist dialogue."Source A special favorite is a film he wrote and directed; Dogtooth (2009).
Broken Flowers (Jim Jarmusch, 2005) I would say is closest to a Lanthimos film except that it is rich with dark humor. Jarmusch is my favorite director. Especially as he usually incorporates other languages and cultures. His humor is dry wit, always well delivered by Bill Murray.
My favorite noir film is Double Indemnity (Billy Wilder, 1944) I love the style of the men in suits. I'll never forget the sun glasses that Barbara Stanwyck wore in the grocery store. The dialog is also fantastic. “There's a speed limit in this state, Mr. Neff, forty-five miles an hour.” It’ll make sense next week.
I’ve saved the Film Noir class in the Film Studies program for last, just like cake, I've had so many references throughout the program but never a concentration.
It mentions in the Naremore text, the five noir films that showed up in 1946 France made a huge impact on their cinema. Yet, it was various film elements that were adopted from Europe that created noir style. Many film types and elements go back and forth between countries influencing each other building cinema to its greatness.
I’m still learning about cinematography and hope to get better at it in this class. This is shot of Annie and Bart planning or practicing their last big job. This is what gives me the feel of a noir film. It is a medium two-shot close up with backlighting appearing to come from the Tiffany style lamp. There is no fill light on the outer sides of their faces. We see half the faces, but enough of her expression saying, "second car?" There is loose framing but there is a lit cigarette on the table between them to give another noir touch.
The significance of “Second car?” to me is that Annie is truly a bad person and always looking for an angle where she can benefit. She had already told him that they’d have to split up for a few months to not get caught. I interpret a little flicker of light in her eyes, thinking there is a second car. This is my chance to leave this guy and keep my money.
The darkness surrounding the times that film noirs were made was due to WWII ending and the soldiers coming home dispirited after witnessing the horror of war. One point I found interesting in the reading was that the pulp fiction stories that were made into noir films did not contain any history, politics or discussion of national boundaries. What a relief it must have been for these men and for everyone after the war to be distracted with some criminal and erotic fiction with no serious issues and just read/see the films for pleasure.
Student Post that I replied to: 2-1-22
Hello Adam,
Thanks for your great succession of screenshots.
This was one of my favorite scenes, done in Pure Cinema I felt, where there was no need for dialogue. Wonderful nuances. They do the whole scene between them mostly with eye winks and coy eye gestures on her part.
I felt bad after our class today because I really did like this film and by discussing Annie as a flat character, I feel that I didn't say how charming she was and a great femme fatale character who could express herself with great subtlety.
Krzysztof Kieślowski's Red (1994), White (1994) and Blue (1993) were my first introduction to international cinema. It shook me, I didn't know film could be that wonderous.
I never considered myself a sci-fi fan but I am a huge Blade Runner fan and love the soliloquy 'tears in the rain'.
That's why I had to comment back on your post, too many things in common.
Ida
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