MovieChat Forums > Pushover (1954) Discussion > A thriller in black and white is not aut...

A thriller in black and white is not automatically film noir

posted 18 years ago by robin-moss2
15 replies | jump to latest

Several of the contributors who have posted their opinions seem to believe that if a film about criminal activity is made in black and white, it must automatically qualify as "film noir". Why do so many people make that mistake? Obviously because they have not the faintest idea what "film noir" is. "Pushover" is a really good, tense thriller. It is not "film noir".

Film criticism in general would be a lot better if the phrase "film noir" was abolished!

[–] joes119 17 years ago

Yes, a thriller and the Roy Huggins name rang a bell. His The Fugitive had the same look as Pushover. Nice film. It is film noir though.

[–] WOODMCQ 17 years ago

This couldn't more clearly be an example of film noir. It has all of the elements. Robert Osborne said this in the intro to the film when it played last night on TMC. I guess you are saying this respected film historian "made a mistake." and is a fool.

[–] robin-moss2 17 years ago

You guess wrongly. I do not assume that anyone who disagrees with me is a fool. I am aware there is always room for more than one opinion. I did not see Robert Osborne so I cannot comment on what he said. It sounds as if he and I disagree. Did he put forward rational reasons for describing "Pushover" as Film Noir? Did he explain what he thinks Film Noir is? Are you able to explain what you think Film Noir is?

[–] 17 years ago

[deleted]

[–] parisel 17 years ago

You ask if Osborne gave reasons why it was a film noir, but you don't give reasons why it is not.

This is on the list of film noir i was given in my film class, and it certainly qualifies in my mind.

I'm not arguing, but am interested in your reasons.

[–] The_Dying_Flutchman 16 years ago

Part of what you say is true, but the rest of it, you snot headed pygmy, is rubbish. What you write is the drivel of a know-not-much bowling trophy polisher. "Pushover" is definitely Noir and contained in the basement research files of the Vatican!

Nothing is more beautiful than nothing.

[–] -501 14 years ago

While I agree a detective thriller does not a film noir make, PUSHOVER is film noir as well as fine movie.

It has noir mood, lighting, off-center shots and angled shots, femme fatale, and most importantly, that nightmarish idea that a man has poor fate regardless of how he works the angles.

I really enjoyed it. Btw, the recently dvd release looks absolutely terrific.

[–] Gloede_The_Saint 14 years ago

Your overall point is correct, however Pushover is a Film Noir and the fact that you doubt it shows how little you know of this movement.

Lets look at Pushover shall we:

Moral complications
Sexual undertones
Dark and gritty
Despair
Even the angles/frames follows the film noir mindset

So whether you think film noir is all about style, all about emotions or both it fits perfectly.

Somebody here has been drinking and I'm sad to say it ain't me - Allan Francis Doyle

[–] corporal-zombie 12 years ago

Yes it's film noir, just not a good one.

[–] SampanMassacre 14 years ago

some french idiot comes up with a cool name and everyone puts rules to these crime melodramas. get over it

[–] MsELLERYqueen2 11 years ago

It's not automatically film noir....but this one is. Other black and white thrillers are not necessarily film noir.

~~
Jim Hutton: talented gorgeous hot hunk; adorable as ElleryQueen; SEXIEST ACTOR EVER

[–] leader-7 11 years ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pushover_(film)

[–] Ripshin 11 years ago

I agree with you, actually. "Noir" is THE most abused film term around.