A crime film of of 30s-50s period, typically with a dark atmosphere, cynical protagonist, mysterious female character, dramatic irony and unhappy ending.
by George_aslf September 26, 2005
a genre of movies characterized by low-key lighting, a bleak urban setting, and corrupt, cynical characters.
by Silvana Oderisi May 11, 2005
The definition of a film noir is very argueable and loose. Some state film noir as a time period in which the film was made. others suggest it as a style of film may be characterized by dark imagery, showing the end at the beginning of the film, shadows, corruption, night life, violence, pessimism, detective films, voice over narration by the character, inevitable bad endings, a film strong on thought. film noir may cross many genres such as action, sci-fi, drama, suspense, thriller, action, and even romantic comedy. One of the first films to be defined as a film noir is The Maltese Falcon and one of the defining films is double indemnity.
by eazy-x February 13, 2008
This is a small but important genre of film that fits all of the forms of the classic film noir, but is set in a bleak, impoverished Appalachian setting. This type of film features corruption, crime, moral ambiguity, a hero in conflict, and a mysterious woman. In many of them, moonshining or bootlegging or some other indigenous Southern form of unlawful activity is featured.
Robert Mitchum's "Thunder Road" and Gregory Peck's "I Walk the Line" are two very important examples of the hillbilly film noir.
by eViL pOp TaRt May 11, 2007