Just Finished Reading: The Dark Side of the Screen – Film Noir by Foster Hirsch

Continuing my interest in Film Noir this coffee table book was a real treat. Full of detailed analysis and copious amounts of large black and white movie stills this was a great insight to one of, in my opinion, defining genres of modern cinema. Although only lasting around 10 years – depending on who you read – Film Noir produced some of the best – again in my opinion – movies of the post-war period. Not only that Noir filtered into the mainstream and influenced many, if not all, subsequent movies especially but not exclusively in the crime film genre.

Hirsch’s book delves into the history of Noir from its cinematic origins in German Expressionism of the 1930’s and its literary origins in the pulp writers of the 30’s and 1940’s. The book highlights the thematic character of Noir giving entire chapters to the locations (the city at night), the distortion of reality (often featured by the distorting mirror), the skills and attributes of both Noir actors and directors as well as the distinctive Noir narrative structure. Despite have a lot of ground to cover the author packs a great deal of detail, and not a little passion for his subject, into just over 200 large format pages. Hirsch never looses his focus and always manages to get across the often labyrinthine plots and deeper meanings of the great Noir movies. Easy to read and beautifully illustrated this could turn you into a Noir fan if you’re not one already. Reading this over successive weekends I did feel a hankering to pop on a classic DVD and fall into a world of dangerous dames and violent men. Highly recommended for anyone with more than a passing interest in cinema.