The Distinguishing Features Of Film Noir

Film Noir is a term coined from French film critics when they were commenting on the new dark and downbeat attitude of the wave of post war American films. The classic film noir period was between the 1940s and 50s in which time approximately 350 film noirs were made, most of which were simply B-features. Film noir was highly influenced by 20s German expressionist films, particularly in the use of a harsh contrast between light and darkness. The main influence on film noirs was the hardboiled pulp fiction detective stories which were immensely popular in America at the time, many of which were adapted into film noir films. Raymond Chandler is perhaps the most famous of these pulp fiction writers, having written the novels that inspired some of the most famous film noirs, such as ‘The Big Sleep’ and ‘Farewell My Lovely’. The most famous film noir director was Howard Hawks who was responsible for the successful adaptations of ‘The Big Sleep’ and many others.
From the distinguishing features of film noir, we can gain a great understanding of America in the in1940s and 50s, capturing the pessimistic and anxiety filled mood of a society at the dawn of a new age and still suffering from the after effects of the war. Throughout their history, film noirs have reflected the society from which they have been created, recent examples such as ‘LA Confidential’ and ‘The Black Dahlia’, both written by James Ellroy, focus once again on 50s corruption and anxiety as a comparison to events such as the gulf war and general feeling of mistrust in America. An even more recent example would be ‘Sin City’ which centers around today’s more violent and extreme world full of terrorism and threat and danger from everywhere. The distinguishing features of mood, male and female characterization and dark lighting will always be recognized as key indicators of a film noir.