Billy Wilder had some trouble getting this noir film through the censors. Snappy dialogue and dark theme matches the black and white cinematography. DOUBLE INDEMNITY is an insurance flick, but wait, it's not a yawner, in fact the pacing is punchy and the movie takes some unusual turns to keep the mind preoccupied. Walter (Fred MacMurray) is the agent and finds Phyllis (Barbara Stanwyck) appealing. She's the wife of a client. This client we soon learn is not a sweetheart and treats Phyllis like a dog and this is all I needed to let the spark between her and Walter create a rift between me and the unloving husband. Murder is less ominous when the hammer of righteousness is behind it. We never see how he dies but we intuit it. This allows the kewl love triangle that's created to take on some life. Phyllis is still a mystery and a final revelation is required. People die in this film but there looms a kind of cosmic justice to make this reign among the best movies. [4.2 stars]
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