Anti Hero In Noir Films
As a society we value and admire the heroes who represent the idealized versions of ourselves whom we strive every day to become. This is why they are often scrutinized, unless they play the role of an anti-hero. The anti-hero is also admired even though he utilizes shameful methods to achieve his goa. This is because he represents the good in a corrupt world However, this is not the case in Noir stories. According to Foster Hirsch in his book The dark side of the screen: film noir, the anti-hero in Noir films is best described as “a constant smoker and a heavy drinker, (…) usually though not always engaged in criminal detection, a cop or a gumshoe. Moving through the criminal underworld with a shield of ironic and wary detachment, this self-conscious
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After figuring out the crime to an impressive level of accuracy and detail, Brendan decides to confront Laura, who he believes was behind Emily’s murder. He relates his findings in a way that highlights his superior intelligence and cleverness, as if to put down Laura and make her feel shame for not executing her plan better. This can be seen when Brendan states, “But I think you knew that meeting was going to blow up. I think that was your final play. But I hope I'm wrong. I hope everything I wrote in the note I dropped at Gary Trueman's office this morning is wrong. About your and Brad's involvement in the Pin's runnings. I hope you didn't steal the brick last night. In your purse” (Johnson 108). The “I think” statements mockingly insinuate he was one step ahead of Laura at all times. Likewise, the “I hope” statements bluntly highlight Laura’s mistakes and establish Brendan’s superiority. Similar to Marlowe in Red Wind, this highlights Brendan’s’ narcissistic tendencies which prompt him to seek a sense of victory and dominance over his adversaries. Even though some may argue certain traits such as an inflated ego which derive from the hero’s’ natural confidence in his own abilities are imminent and even necessary, they are not. According to Frank Krutnik in his book titled In a lonely street: Film noir, genre, masculinity, “one may initially consider this kind
After figuring out the crime to an impressive level of accuracy and detail, Brendan decides to confront Laura, who he believes was behind Emily’s murder. He relates his findings in a way that highlights his superior intelligence and cleverness, as if to put down Laura and make her feel shame for not executing her plan better. This can be seen when Brendan states, “But I think you knew that meeting was going to blow up. I think that was your final play. But I hope I'm wrong. I hope everything I wrote in the note I dropped at Gary Trueman's office this morning is wrong. About your and Brad's involvement in the Pin's runnings. I hope you didn't steal the brick last night. In your purse” (Johnson 108). The “I think” statements mockingly insinuate he was one step ahead of Laura at all times. Likewise, the “I hope” statements bluntly highlight Laura’s mistakes and establish Brendan’s superiority. Similar to Marlowe in Red Wind, this highlights Brendan’s’ narcissistic tendencies which prompt him to seek a sense of victory and dominance over his adversaries. Even though some may argue certain traits such as an inflated ego which derive from the hero’s’ natural confidence in his own abilities are imminent and even necessary, they are not. According to Frank Krutnik in his book titled In a lonely street: Film noir, genre, masculinity, “one may initially consider this kind