Film Noir in Batman!

 FILM NOIR IN BATMAN!

Film Noir is a much used technique in Tim Burton’s rendition of Batman. The film encases some of the most basic characteristics of film noir, but the way that Burton uses them is what adds an in-depth layer to the film that most films in general can only dream to obtain. The film encases this dark theme throughout it, metaphorically and realistically, as well as an internal struggle within the two main characters as well as between the two of these societal outcasts. Specific to this film, lighting and menace play enormous parts.

The lighting of the film is one of the most noticeable movie traits that can be spotted easily. The majority of the film is set in a dark setting where, when color is introduced, plays a large role. The darkness adds to the scene of the city. Gotham: a crime ridden society where the corruption has spread to even the highest of corporate office. (Random side note: has anyone ever noticed how insanely similar the words corporate and corrupt are? I found that hilairious.) Nobody knows what exactly is going on: the darkness of lightning hides things from the viewer just like the darkness of how corrupt the government is hidden from the city’s people. The corporate officials constantly refute that there is a "Batman", a person that is trying to in all honesty, benefit the citizens, by trying to minimize crime rates. The darkness hides the possibility of there being anything good. When color is introduced, such as the bright qualities of the Joker’s wardrobe, a new issue is brought to light. There now is a person that wants all of this attention, has absolutely no morals, is a trickster, and will stop at NOTHING to obtain his idea of fame, even commit countless unnecessary (I am not saying that any murder is necessary) murders. This use of color symbolizes a rebirth of issues into Gotham city’s spotlight. This film noir technique causes a cognitive shift in the viewers mind.

Menace between the two societal outcasts also in a film noir driving force of the film. There is constantly this hatred between the Joker and Batman: The Joker hates Batman for stealing the spotlight and fames that Gotham city offers, and Batman has such a strong animosity for the Joker because he witnessed his parents murdered for petty cash at a young age by Jack Nappier. The constant menace between the two back and forth causing an entertaining progress to the film.