As an avid fan of Neo-Noir films, and seeing as we just watched Chinatown(Polanski, 74), I thought it would make sense to make a post about the genre. Like film noir, Neo-Noir is frequently characterized by its dim lighting and overall dramatic visual style, which are both used to give the films their traditionally dramatic tones. However, unlike film noir, Neo-Noir is filmed in color rather than black and white. So how does a film actually get classified as Neo-Noir? It is kind of hazy, but basically the films almost always feature some type of mystery/detective type of story, while boding dark and distinctly somber lighting. For example, take this scene from Drive: (There is some Graphic Violence)
It uses low-key lighting to emphasize the shadows on each character’s face to not only highlight the intimacy of the moment between the two, but also add a solemn tone to it as well.
While this may not be characteristic of all Neo-Noir films, it truly does get to the essence of what the movies are all about, dramatization and intimacy.
Expanding on what makes a film Neo-Noir would be is the movie style, structure, and characters refer to classic Film Noir. In the Context of Drive: the leading character, Ryan Gosling, is portrayed as stoic, emotionally lacking (yes there is a kiss but he proceeds to crush a man’s skull) and the classical sense of a hero role. The female lead is shown to be more of a damsel in distress than a classical femme fatale, but still accomplishes putting the main character in danger. As mentioned, cinematography is very similar to Film Noir in the presence of night scenes, low lighting, and dramatic shadows. Lastly, something can be said for the sound track as it was not exactly noir, but had an older feel.