Sin City??

Sin City and Film Noir

I have read a good many articles recently that refer to Sin City as Film Noir. To me, this label may or may not be accurate and I would like to solicit some opinions.

In the strictest sense, all of the elements of film noir are certainly found in Sin City. Some elements not usually found in this genre also exist in this film. If Sin City truly is film noir then it isn’t in the classic sense. It’s more a hybrid of genres—film noir and something else, something more technological. Noir in the classic sense had as much to do with style and character as it had to do with the technology of the day. Noir movies were dark, both literally and in their messages. Film noir is, after all, French for “Black Film.”

So in Sin City we have the classic elements of directorial choice that show noir influence, like heavy patterns of darkness and extensive use of shadow. We have the fundamentally flawed protagonist, albeit in an exaggerated sense, who’s own off kilter moral compass will be his undoing. We have the detective story, the voice-overs and whole detective movie feel, all classically film noir.

The movie also features the femme fatale almost always found in the genre. She manipulates the protagonist with her wiles, is often dishonest and plays a role in his demise. She’s beautiful and very often uses the lure of sex to get what she wants and has the ability to play one man against the other. Sometimes several men at once. She can be the damsel in distress but often isn’t nearly as distressed as she pretends to be.

When you think noir and need an example find a Bogart film and you’re nearly always in the right ballpark. Mike Hammer and Phillip Marlow work in a pinch.

But what about Sin City? Well, there are additional elements here that don’t seem to fit. For one thing the protagonist isn’t merely flawed slightly nor only internally. He’s a hulking, grotesque and temperamental character. His flaws are not only his downfall but have the potential to be the undoing of several supporting characters.

There’s also an odd supernatural element coursing through the veins of this movie. Deformities, clawed hands, pure evil personified (Elijah Woods) and superhuman strength. This certainly represents a departure from classic noir.

The use of color is in this movie is rare, intriguing and terrifically done. However, it doesn’t fit with the classic noir genre. I can’t say it’s completely innovative because it has been done before, still it takes directorial skill to do it right and not make it “horsey” in appearance.

So I would like to hear from all of you out there that might have an opinion on where this movie should fall. For my part I think it has noir elements but I don’t feel it fits the genre. Although I couldn’t say with certainty what genre it should fall into. It’s a hybrid. Give me some opinions and I’ll post them!