Like most film noirs, especially for this era, Double Indemnity is dark, stark and very light on cheerful tunes. The only time we hear something resembling a light tune, Walter Neff has not yet met Phyllis Dietrichson. This single scene is in vast contrast to the scene that can just before, as Walter slowly makes his way into the office. In this scene, the background violins paced quickly, backed by the slow, ominous march of the heavy drum.
Even when Walter sits at the desk, the fast violins does not slow but rather go quiet, keeping the sense of urgency and dissonence. The only other time the music is somewhat soft is both when he visits Phyllis for the last time. Even when Walter and Lola go into the woods on what should be a pleasent evening and the violins are slow and lilting to start, the tune still manages to sounds foreboding and dark, just as Walter is unable to shake the feelings he has about the murder of Mr. Dietrichson and his contemplation of murdering Phyllis. The violins quickly build into a cresendo in a move completely against the apparently peaceful scene on the screen. The tension is palpable, only to the audience who share Walter's secret and his constant anxiety of discovery.
As far as I can remember, the only instant of diagetic is when Walter goes to Phyllis's house to murder her. The music from up the street is soft, tender and sounds almost like a love song. This is especially fitting as Phyllis and Walter have reached the height of their hatred for each other, and the song is coming from far away up the street, almost from another world. It seems to be indicating what could have been between Phyllis and Walter.
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That is a very interesting interpretation of the music within the shooting scene. I agree that the more light-hearted tune could refer to Walter and/or Phyllis' feelings of regret or desire for a better end. I am now thinking of that last piece of music in a more artistic manner.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the film, when you described the light tune played before Walter had met Phyllis, I thought that this tune was still very dark for such a common call that Walter was making.
ReplyDeleteI also liked how you commented on the diegetic music heard from the street before Walter and Phyllis were shot. It was significant when Walter closed the window, shutting the light love song from the room, and was then shot by Phyllis.