I think about non-noir movies which have stood the test of time, think...Frank Capra’s ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ starring Jimmy Stewart.
The film can touch on heavy subject matter (Great Depression/World War II) without having to be indulgently cynical as it were. The central character is an anti-hero about to end his own life, yet he becomes heroic in his common-ness and mere willingness to live to see another day in his otherwise imperfect reality.
It affirms our lives, affirms our inherent purpose for existing. The older I get, the more the movie strikes a chord with me as I realize the depth and substance of the writing.
Not saying noir is indulgent, I guess I’m referring to Nolan’s flicks in particular...I just don’t see the point. I feel no sympathy for the characters so how can I be drawn in or forced to care what happens?
And regarding societal statements: it’s just too easy to curse the darkness. A timeless film forces you to leave the theater better for having watched it. Not just able to see the darkness out in the ‘real world’ more clearly, but to be that flicker of light in the situation.
“A timeless film forces you to leave the theater better for having watched it. Not just able to see the darkness out in the ‘real world’ more clearly, but to be that flicker of light in the situation.”
Criterion Channel had a section called COLUMBIA NOIR and one of the selected films was “My Name is Julia Ross” (1945). For a noir type film with a dark theme it finished surprisingly hopefully. They pack a lot into the 1hr5min run time. It left Criterion Channel but I found it here on YouTube...