[cinderella]

Good for you, Venus! Not everyone gets the intricacy and sensitivity of black and white, and how it enhances the overall 'feel' of the story/plot. There are films in the b/w format that would never work in color. It's those gray areas and grainy feel, the wet, dark streets that ARE film noir. In my opinion, there's nothing ever come close to those wonderful noir films of the 40's. If you are serious about educating yourself in the nuances of film noir, there are several noir 'must see' films we can recommend. High on my list would be 'Double Indemnity', 'The Naked City', 'In A Lonely Place', 'Out of the Past', 'Murder My Sweet', 'The Killers', and so many others I'm sure Jet and Graphita could also recommend. I think, with your sensitiviy, you will love these films as well. There's something about film noir that lures you in, and once you're hooked, you'll want to see them all!

Originally Posted by Venus007

I got to start my noir education, "Rebecca" was good. Max was simultaneously hunky (Sir Laurence Olivier) and subtly cruel and creepy. There some weird sexual tension with Mrs Danvers that I would think I would remember from the book but I don't recall it. Mrs Danvers reminded me of Mrs Havisham from Dickens in that pointed glassy eyed crazy way.
Although this is probably obvious but I love the way black and white film captures and plays with light (or rather the combination of Hitchcock and black and white film). Probably also cliche but it makes shadows another character in the film. Love it