I have always thought that "Screwed" was the simplest
definition of noir. After seeing several good arguments, I
have to conclude that it is only one of many good ones -- and
not bad, considering it's single word.
Although yes, a person can get screwed repeatedly and still
come back with resilience, as most private eyes do, I think
the screwed definition is a kind of ultimate. The lead
charater is scewed by the character's own faults which are so
ingrained the he or she takes no practical escape
available.
"Doomed" doesn't work, because if we are at the base of a
damn when it breaks, we are doomed -- nothing noir about
that.
Jim Doherty gave a comprehensive list of "film noir" where
the main character is not screwed, only hardboiled. How I
missed all of those, especially *Farewell My Lovely* is
beyond me. I guess I identified too closely with Moose
Malloy. Another such film noir which does not end bad for the
mostly screwed protagonist, is "The Big Clock."
After thining about the subject off and on for several years
now, I conclude that most private-eye novels are not noir
because the private-eye generally comes out on top, although
most of the ones in old black-and-white film are
"film noir."
I still contend thought that *Chinatown* was noir in content
but not a "film noir."
I think later this year when we discuss Simenon's
non-Maigrets, assuming I remember them correctly, we may see
where the "screwed" definition comes in.
PI novels are hardboiled, tough.
Many other stories and novels are noir with screwed
characters like Cain's.
"Film noir" has to do with how a story is portrayed on the
screen.
It looks to me that it's an individutal choice as to whether
we separate "Film Noir" from stories and books that are
noir.
Whether we agree or not, it seems to me, from what I see on
this list that we all generally like the same kind of books
no matter what we tag them.
Jack
PS: And an aside, my deceased father-in-law once said of
movies in general, that if they didn't do such stupid things
in the beginning, there would be no story.
===== http://JackBludis.com
Hollywood Mysteries of the Early Fifties
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