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Double Indemnity (1944)  Scene Analysis - "How fast was I going officer?"

The genre of film-noir, drama and crime that was directed by Billy Wilder and starring Fred MacMurray, Barbara Stanwyck and Edward G. Robinson.

Phyllis Dietrichson showing dominance

The double indemnity shows elements of dominance throughout the scene, this is done with both characters Walter Neff and Phyllis Dietrichson trying to stay in control, in order to get what they both want. The first part of the scene where dominance is shown is when first looking at Phyllis Dietrichson. The main protagonist Walter walks into Phyllis Dietrichson's house and is greeted by the maid, Phyllis Dietrichson is at the top of the stairs and Walter Neff is looking up at her. This indicates how Phyllis has became more empowered by being higher then Walter Neff. Due to Phyllis Dietrichson being at the stair case and the main protagonist being on the ground floor, this can also represent Phyllis's social class. Before we see Phyllis Dietrichson we are presented to a setting of a big house in an open space where a maid answer the door instead of the home owners. This is seen as Phyllis being in a higher class to the main protagonist is then represented by Phyllis being on a higher level when they are introduced to one another.

Walter Neff's appearance

The main protagonist is seen as an "ordinary" male figure. This image is very typical for a genre like Film Noir and Walter Neff is seen as a fall guy when it comes to look at the type of character being presented. Due to Walter being the voice over for the narration it also helps to create Walter's image as being very typical for this convention. Consequently to this it helps to establish the personality of Walter more clearly. When looking at the costume and make up for the main protagonist it helps to present that Walter is formal and has the right intentions.. At first.  The intentions that are presented by looking at the costume and make up in this scene for the main protagonist shows that Walter was there for a professional reasons and actually wants to well in his job. This is also then discovered ti be the truth when Phyllis Dietrichson is impressed by how much Walter Neff knows about his work involving insurance. The professional appearance helps to show that the main protagonist is confident, by wearing a top hat it helps to signify how Walter is very intellectual.

Walter Neff trapped

After the main protagonist steps into the big house it then becomes small and claustrophobic. This emotion is created visually by the high key lighting that is very soft key. The shadow is created and this shadow is of the venetian blinds. This creates an image of the main protagonist being trapped in a cage on a prison like setting. This indication is made by looking at the blinds shadows when they also look like bars. This creates a sense of foreboding of what Walters future is to be like. This also shows the foreshadowing of  Phyllis being in control of Walter later on in the film.

House not a home

When looking at the house, it doesn't give an experience of feeling homely. The piano looks untouched and there is no genuine style to the house to represent any personalities. However the one gesture that gives an idea about the family that live here is the two pictures of Lola Dietrichson and Mr. Dietrichson. The two pictures that are seen by an extreme close up helps to show different elements of why the family has certain vibes about. Firstly, when finding out Phyllis's true intentions we question why she wants to this in the first place. Reason are then presented by looking at the pictures. Due to the pictures being only of Mr.Dietrichson and Lola Dietrichson it shows the isolation of Phyllis. The isolilation helps to present the fenfetale of Phyllis be anti-family. Phyllis is not included in the pictures and helps to show how she is not part of the family unit. This can therefore be a reason to why Phyllis how such daunting intentions as she is jealous and feels left out of the family. However when realising these pictures are only self portraits and not family pictures it shows how there is no strong family connection between the farther and daughter. This can illustrate how the family do not get on that well due to the farther being always working.

The pictures and the statue

The two pictures have been use significantly as props, this is because the facial expressions give a sense that they are watching over what is about to happen. This is foreshadowing how the step daughter Lola threatens to tell someone about her step mother Phyllis when she begins to have suspicion about her killing killing Mr. Dietrichson. Another prop that helps to illustrate emotion strongly is the statue, due to the statue being turned the other way from the pictures it can represent how Phyllis feels a lone and outsider when it comes to the family home.

Phyllis's anklet bracelet

Phyllis's appearence

Phyllis applying lipstick

When then focusing on the costume and make up of Phyllis Dietrichson it becomes more powerful than the main protagonist. Due to when first seeing Phyllis we see her in just a towel it makes us instantly judge her character. The impression is given that this women is very loose and will come out to introduce herself before even thinking to put some clothes on.  After then going to quickly get ready, we see how Phyllis has tried to make an effort to impress the main protagonist. This is done by wearing an anklet, putting lipstick on and wearing perfume. The anklet is very significant due to this meaning that a women was only interested in one thing with a man in the 40's. Wearing an anklet meant that you were easy and meant quite tacky. We realise Phyllis is like by the close up shot of the anklet when she is walking down the stairs. Phyllis also wears a belt that reveals her hips that leave no imagination, this shows how Phyllis trying to be seductive. When looking at her all image that Phyllis is quite a false person. Phyllis clearly fits the character type of the femme fatale in terms of the overall sexually confident women.

Phyllis's posture and Walter following Phyllis wherever she goes.

The confidence that is shown in Phyllis helps to show what it was like for women when the men went to war and then came back to changes, The women became much more confident and could work for themselves and were earning their own money for once. Women became much more independent and didn't allow a man to control them anymore. Phyllis helps to present a strong, empowered powered women in the American society in the 40's. A way that this is shown is by looking at the posture of Phyllis when talking to the main protagonist Walter. Phyllis's attitude is very relaxed when sat down and communicating to Walter. This shows that Phyllis is a strong character and is not weak when it comes to a male figure. Also, an indication of power for Phyllis is shown when Walter follows her like a lap dog wherever she may go in the scene. This helps to show how Phyllis is in control of the situation and Walter has become vulnerable at this point to her scheme.

Who is in control?

The mid shot two shot is shown and appears that Walter has the power but it more obviously shows that Phyllis is the one in control.This is because it contradicts when Phyllis is in a seductive pose. The seductive pose is what is used to manipulate Walter into getting what Phyllis wants and therefore shows that Phyllis in control of the scene. The theme of seduction and sex is the themes that help Phyllis employ over Walter.


In conclusion to this, the scene shows how an unhealthy lust that Walter is driven by expresses his inner weakness that can then be taking advantage of, Phyllis shows empowerment, however shows that she is very manipulative and takes advantage of the vulnerable, Both characters show how they will go to whatever terms they have to, in order to get what they want. The motivation is more willing then deserved from the outcome.


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