The term "Film Noir" originated in French cinema and is associated with a combination of sensuality, melancholy, and detachment.
The protagonist in North by Northwest is an anti-hero whose actions are not easily defined as either good or evil. Despite engaging in some questionable behavior like having an affair, the anti-hero ultimately rescues a morally upright woman. The story revolves around mistaken identity, with Thornhill (portrayed by Cary Grant) wrongly accused of killing Townsend and being confused for someone named Kaplan. In order to prove his innocence, Thornhill travels across America while pretending to be Kaplan and attempting to evade both his attackers and government agents, all while also chasing after his romantic interest.
Dial "M" for Murder, a film adapted from the play of the same title by Frederick Knott, ends with the protagonist exonerating himself, winning ove
...r the girl of his dreams, and embarking on a honeymoon. However, he also witnesses the police shooting his potential killer. The film, produced by Hitchcock between 1953-1954, has only three settings due to its roots in theatre. These include the Wendices' London living room, a restaurant, and a courtroom. Hitchcock's careful attention to detail is evident in the camera's role in exposing the murder plot. As Windice schemes to commit murder, Hitchcock's camera almost acts as an accomplice to the crime. The film gradually reveals Windice's nefarious actions including saving up £1,000 in used, untraceable notes to hire a contract killer, blackmailing his wife for a love letter from her ex-lover Mark Halliday, and secretly observing the couple's farewell dinner before Mark's departure for America. Through these scenes and Hitchcock's masterful mise-en-scene techniques, he immerses the audience in
an all-consuming voyeuristic experience that seems to place viewers in the role of the would-be murderer.The camera is positioned in close proximity to the characters, capturing their actions, reactions, and plot developments as if they are secrets being revealed to the audience.
Throughout Dial "M" for Murder, the camera angles and lighting employed by Hitchcock convey a voyeuristic and sexual atmosphere. Similarly, in Psycho, Hitchcock uses the mother figure to reveal characters' sexualities through Bates' dressing up as her and using her voice to deceive others. This distortion of sexuality ultimately leads to murder, emphasizing Hitchcock's belief that sex is tied to death. It is these elements that allow the audience to experience a sense of voyeuristic discovery and plot advancement, ultimately influencing the development of the thriller film genre.
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