After watching Brick, you may be wondering what exactly is noir?
Here's a quick summary of the two:
Classical noir- Classical noir was basically the starting ground for film noir. It grew popularity in the 1940's and 1950's, developing after World War II. The films that premiered during this time reflected upon the general feeling America was going through in reaction the war. Feelings of negativity, pessimism, suspicion, anxiety, and hopelessness were reflected in these films. These classical film noirs derived from hard boiled crime fiction novels by Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain, and Dashiell Hammet. Movies considered classical film noirs are"The Postman always rings twice","Double Indemnity"," The Big Sleep", and "Murder, my sweet" to name a few. These were usually low budgeted movies, with very distinct cinematography that included black and white contrast,little violence, quick-paced dialogue, and obscure camera angles. The films usually included a private "eye" (or a private investigator), the femme fatale (a dangerous sultry women who uses her sexuality and seduction to get what she wants) and a confusing twisting plot line that usually ends unhappily. This type of noir set the basis for what is now considered film noir today.
Neo-Noir: Neo-noir arrived during the 1960's and 1970's. It's films used the same characteristics that classical noir had, but updated them with more modern settings and utilities. For example, instead of having the films in black and white, they would have it in color. Another example would be that elements such as voice-over narration would be completely cut out from the film. However they would still use conventions like obscure camera angles, quick-talking dialogue, and a dark atmosphere (clifford). The themes that were showcased in neo-noir films were similar to classical noir themes in the sense that they were both reflective of what the U.S. were going through in response to the war. Neo-Noir films are the more popular latter of noir films being made today. Films considered neo-noirs are "Chinatown", "LA Confidential", "Brick".
To put it blatantly, noir is translated directly from the french language as "black." When put together with film, it is translated directly to "black film." At some point in your life, you will (or have already) most likely watch(ed) a movie that can fit into the genre of film noir. Film noir is divided up into mainly two types of noir:
Classical noir- Classical noir was basically the starting ground for film noir. It grew popularity in the 1940's and 1950's, developing after World War II. The films that premiered during this time reflected upon the general feeling America was going through in reaction the war. Feelings of negativity, pessimism, suspicion, anxiety, and hopelessness were reflected in these films. These classical film noirs derived from hard boiled crime fiction novels by Raymond Chandler, James M. Cain, and Dashiell Hammet. Movies considered classical film noirs are"The Postman always rings twice","Double Indemnity"," The Big Sleep", and "Murder, my sweet" to name a few. These were usually low budgeted movies, with very distinct cinematography that included black and white contrast,little violence, quick-paced dialogue, and obscure camera angles. The films usually included a private "eye" (or a private investigator), the femme fatale (a dangerous sultry women who uses her sexuality and seduction to get what she wants) and a confusing twisting plot line that usually ends unhappily. This type of noir set the basis for what is now considered film noir today.
Neo-Noir: Neo-noir arrived during the 1960's and 1970's. It's films used the same characteristics that classical noir had, but updated them with more modern settings and utilities. For example, instead of having the films in black and white, they would have it in color. Another example would be that elements such as voice-over narration would be completely cut out from the film. However they would still use conventions like obscure camera angles, quick-talking dialogue, and a dark atmosphere (clifford). The themes that were showcased in neo-noir films were similar to classical noir themes in the sense that they were both reflective of what the U.S. were going through in response to the war. Neo-Noir films are the more popular latter of noir films being made today. Films considered neo-noirs are "Chinatown", "LA Confidential", "Brick".
- Electric Noir (branch off of Neo- noir): Electric noir came about at the turn of the century, when film noir was crossed over with science fiction. An electric noir film would include a blend of "cyberpunk" culture (a science fiction genre that focuses on the high advanced technology and low life), a twisted timeline set with futuristic elements, and usually include a post-apocalyptic setting, for example "Earth 200,000 years later" (wikipedia.) Themes that are prominent in these types of films include nostalgia, pessimism, chaos, and confusion, which echoes themes in both classic and neo-noirs. Popular electric film noirs are "Blade Runner", "Pulp Fiction", and "Minority Report."
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