Please, do not let the title fool you. It is not meant to say whether or not I liked or disliked the film Laura (but I am in the former.) While Laura, directed by Otto Preminger is a good film and a product of film noir, it isn't your typical film noir. If you compare and contrast Laura with other film noirs like The Big Combo or Double Indemnity, Laura stands by itself.
Let's cut through the bulls***. John Blaser, in his article "No Place For A Woman", he focuses on the Femme Fatale. While he artfully discusses the role of the femme fatale, he fails to realize that the title character in Laura is somehow not a femme fatale. The femme fatale, while strong-willed and independent, is also the cause of her downfall and that of others around. However, in Laura who is to say that the femme fatale is Laura or even a woman. Her suppose "death" causes her so-called "devotees" to be looked upon with suspicion and make the audience prejudice in the characters' downfall. The femme fatale in Laura is the character Waldo Lydecker. Think about it! He is sophisticated, and charming. Yet, he is feminine and seductive, who obsesses and wants Laura to himself. And if he can't, then no one can have her. Like the femme fatale, he is able to alude everyone through his personality and wit, but by the end of the film, his actions becomes his own downfall.
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YES! I totally agree, except the part about Lydecker being seductive. His wealth makes him semi-desirable to ladies maybe, but his horrible personality is clearly repugnent to every sex. Laura is definitely not a femme fatale, which is one of the only things I could think of as soon as she comes back from being dead. The pretty, glamorous way she is portrayed though with those big sparkly eyes that attract everybody certainly make it seem like she is at first glance.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that Laura isn't the femme fatale character in Laura. But i don't really think Lydecker is either.
ReplyDeleteOther than putting Laura in a difficult situation, i don't really see what else could define Lydecker as the femme fatale. He isn't that seductive, in my opinion. Femme fatale usually involves sex and beauty being used to achieve a goal.He is very sophisticated, and great with literature. But not seductive in a femme fatale sort of way.
I rather agree that Laura can in no way, shape or form be considered a femme fatale character. Just look at Barbara Stanwyck's character from "Double Indemnity." She oozes sexuality and mystery and we can never really tell what side she's on.
ReplyDeleteNumber 1, Laura is dead. She is only as good as the perceptions of the men around her.
Number 2, when she does show up we find out that she is not all that she's cracked up to be.
However you bring up an interesting point about Lydecker possibly being the femme fatale, but, I just think that he was an halfwit who's ultimate downfall was his obssession with a dead girl.
Not sure how I missed this one. It was on time too. Some really sharp (pointed!) observations here. I think it's not so much that Laura isn't a femme fatale---she's definitely not. But Preminger is definitely messing with the noir form by putting her in the position that one would be, and the male characters in the position where heroes are supposed to be (and who really aren't, either).
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