Neo-noir is a term used to describe modern film noir. Translated it literally means new-black and refers to films which utilise the elements of the genre. They can be set in a modern day context and involve modern technologies and concerns.
Examples: Black Swan:
Starting off we have a psychological thriller that some may find controversial to include on this list. I would contend, however, that the dark journey into the psyche of our female lead is directly in line with the path of impending doom that is a cornerstone of classic Noir films. Right from the beginning, a feeling of despair permeates the screen and does not let go. Outside of crime drama, Film Noir often turned towards performers and their inner demons to create intense drama out of feelings of inadequacy and egotism (classics such as The Big Knife (1955) and Sunset Blvd. (1950) come to mind). The intense results that this can produce are powerfully portrayed in Black Swan’s ongoing struggle between Nina (Natalie Portman) and her ballet rival Lily (Mila Kunis). Despite twisting the more commonly seen “male seduced by female” structure of Noir cinema, Kunis’ seduction of Portman is a classic femme fatale at work. The only question is, did it really happen?
Key Film Noir Aspects: Feeling of Despair, Mental Instability, Femme Fatale
Brick:
Coming back for seconds on our list is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, this time in one of the most unique, yet obvious, Neo-Noir films on this list. What would happen if we took a classic Noir murder mystery, complete with characters, visual style, and dialogue straight out of the 1950s, but placed it into a modern day high school setting? Welcome to Brick, a direct homage to Film Noir with a New Millennium, young-adult twist. Rian Johnson knew exactly what he was looking for when he wrote and directed this one, breathing classic Noir characteristics into this film right down to 1950s vernacular. Don’t let the youth of the characters fool you, though: this is as dark and twisted a mystery as any of the films on this list.
It may start out a little slow-paced for some, but if you give Drive a chance, you’ll be glad you did. When I first saw this one, Ryan Gosling’s performance became an instant classic in my mind. If you’re wondering what Humphrey Bogart would look like in a modern day film, just watch Gosling as the nameless Driver in Nicolas Winding Refn’s spellbinding film. This is a classic Noir tough guy: soft spoken, calm, thoughtful, but never on the defensive and ready to do whatever it takes at a moment’s notice. We don’t know much about our “hero” to start, and there is a sense of despair as his relationship with his gorgeous next-door neighbor and her son gets him tangled up with the wrong kind of people. It soon becomes very obvious, however, that there is a lot more to this Driver than meets the eye. When the action happens, it happens fast and doesn’t pull any punches. The Los Angeles streets and back alleys are once again a classic backdrop for the Noir visual style of this amazing film.
Key Film Noir Aspects: Feeling of Despair, Visual Style, Morally Questionable “Hero,” Criminal Actions
Blade Runner:
Ridley Scott's visionary epic proved that noir is a style translatable across any genre. Combining scifi themes with chiaroscuro lighting and complex characters -- Harrison Ford's detective as cyborg terminator. Blade Runner constructed a never-before-felt noir atmosphere.
L.A. Confidential:
That Curtis Hanson successfully transposed James Ellroy's sprawling novel into an accessible narrative film was impressive enough, but that he also made L.A. Confidential one of the best neo-noir movies is even more so. A star-studded cast (Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce and Kim Basinger) told the tale of a sordid Hollywood underworld filled with corrupt cops and prostitutes cut to look like stars.
Reflections:
There's many films above and beyond this list considered neo-noir for their characteristics, plot and technically related. This is just a look into what makes them neo-noir.
It shows the influence of the genre all the way to present day. It's interesting for me to see films like this which I have previously watched but was unaware of the influences.
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