Laura

Laura is one of the greatest noirs ever. I just admire this film SMMM. Anyways let's start. So I feel like, Laura is definitely one of the most admirable and greatest female characters to come out of the old Hollywood era, especially noirs. There is something so admirable about her, especially in her independence, such characters I know did not exist. She had her own autonomy, her own job and became very successful, climbed the top of her game. Many films don't even include roles like this for a woman in the old Hollywood era. The biggest crime to her, more than the alleged murder, was that she was exploited by the men around. Waldo Lydecker sought to control her. He did for a while. He controlled everything from what she wore and her hairstyle to even whom she dated. He couldn't handle the fact that she was in the arms of another man which is the obsession of some of characters. Most of the male characters are obsessed with Laura. Even the detective Mark McPherson happens to be obsessed with a dead woman. He's intrigued by the stories of Laura and by the beauty of her in her portrait, which was said to never have captured Laura's vibrance. In one of the final scenes Laura expresses her independence to choose her own lover and free herself from the restrictions of her friendship with the envious Lydecker. It is a notable moment and was wonderful to see her claim her own power. Laura is a femme fatale, she does bring the people round her to danger. But it's not by her own accord like it was with Phyllis Dietrichson or Kathie Moffat. She's a good femme fatale which makes her subversive of the character in a lot of ways. Laura's character is initially depicted through the lens of the men around her. They tell about her. The plot is anchored by the perceptions of the characters, it truly asks the audience if we ever will know who Laura Hunt is. Even when she's around, she seems ambiguous, deceptive but we know through her relationships with Shelby and her maid for whom she both feels sympathetic for especially the former, we know that she's this sensitive soul. Shelby Carpenter is also a really interesting character. He's your average killer, at least he looks it. He's literally Vincent Price, a man famous for gothic horror villains. So if you truly know anything about this cast including another gothic icon Judith Anderson as Ann Treadwell, well you'd suspect Shelby. Shelby definitely seems the most suspicious, hiding stuff, etc and you're convinced he is the killer. Even while Waldo is the killer you rarely suspect him and feel he's just a rather smug jealous person. Then this brings us to the greatest plot twist in the annals of cinematic history. The plot twist of where Laura Hunt is alive. You question if she is the murderer because her motives to kill Diane redfern seem all the more real. Back onto Mark McPherson, the detective you definitely do question him. The idea of him falling in love with a woman he has never met is strange even showing that he's an odd character. It's something I love about noirs. Nobody is good. No one will ever be. Anyways now onto the technical aspects. The film had perfect cinematography from Joseph LaShelle. His dark and light cinematography compliments this duality of the characters. Something that ive noticed in the film noir. But it also paints dark shadowy imagery which just works with these films. Otto Preminger is a great director, and this film proves why, probably in my opinion, the pinnacle of his directorial work. He helps this film to be a thrilling ride. The music definitely deserves points. Like it's so fucking stunning and beautiful yet haunting which just works with this film. Like David raskin ur a genius for this omg. Judith Anderson is an iconic actress who delivered a great supporting performance. Vincent Price Ur iconic too. Clifton Webb annoys me but I suppose it's his character who does. Dana Andrews is great too. A wonderful leading man. He definitely has chemistry with Gene Tierney. Gene Tierney is wonderful and a great actress. She's so delightful and amazing. She is so stunning and beautiful, definitely one of the most stunning women to grace the screen. She's iconic love you gene! Anyways I love this film so much one of my favourite noirs ever!