femme fatale

The femme fatale is a very important part of a noir film. The basis of her character is to use her sexual characteristics to manipulate the protagonist, as done by Phyllis to Walter Neff in Double Indemnity. This shot i have chosen is a very important one because it captures the moment that Phyllis and Walter are meeting for the first time. As she is coming out with only a towel on, the attraction is immediate between the two. Phyllis is using her sexual dominance to lure Walter into her plan. She is also shot from a low angle shot, shower her power over Walter from the very beginning. Over the course of the film Phyllis continues to manipulate Walter using her femininity, stretching a little past sexuality. During a few scenes Phyllis seems helpless and looks to Walter for guidance and protection. Thus,  Walter feels the need to take care of Phyllis. Looking at other femme fatale characters in noir, they do all use their sexuality to get there way, but i believe this aspect of sexuality is a sub category of the femme fatale using her femininity.