Laura

"The story of a love that became the most fearful thing that ever happened to a woman". Film Noir is a movie characterized by low-key lighting, bleak urban setting, and corrupt, cynical characters. Defined by a femme-fatal and the "hero" usually played by a detective. This film takes on a new face of Film Noir. The detective while on persuit of a murderer falls in love with the victim which at the time her presumed to be dead. The main character which is also the detective is a loner, pessimistic. Film Noir does not present him as your typical film hero. Not only does he fall in love with the vicitim and eery type manner he turns into a stalker type figure as well. Hanging out at her apartment constantly, smelling her perfume, going through her underwear drawer, and reading all of her letters past the point of a normal detective would.
Film Noir uses lighting as a key part of film. Generally set in an urban setting in black and white. The set of the Laura's apartment is shadowy and and lit in low-key. When she finally comes back to her apartment to see the detective in her apartment she has this light above her as if giving her a dream like allure and angelic look.
The apartment is set with luxurious effects, primarily given by her benefactor or male escort but not boyfriend. He is in fact in love with her however, which sets up his ending role. The apartment is the main attraction. The way the apartment is lit is a strong contradiction. She lives in luxury but her apartment is lit like there is no real life in there. It is dark and gloomy even when she throws the party after her infamous return with ominous shadows and deep-focus. One item that seemed to be keyed in on a lot was the lamp that made it's way into nearly every shot. Generally, front and center this lamp was frilly with a woman painted on. Much like all of Laura's other belongings I believe this lamp came from her wealthy friend. I took from this lamp that Laura herself was merely an object. An object of voyeurism and exhibitionism. Laura was merely a pawn in the man's world. I saw Laura as being disposable much like the lamp but also being the center of attention at all times even when it's not supposed to be the main focus. For example, the detective is supposed to be finding her murderer, but, he is truly infatuated with her and focusing on falling in love with her when he should be focusing on the case itself.