It is the mix of races one of the elements that updated classic noir, and it brings with it different anxieties. The minority of that time, African-American, suffer the anxiety of corrupt cops. Alleva, Richard details the scene how one of the cops take advantage of its power to beat Rawlins during the interrogatory about Coretta's murder. Even though, the other cop tries to be fair about the situation it is clear that the abused of power against black people is present. The way that Easy responds a such act is to confirm that he is not someone who leaves his hand tide-up or do nothing when police want to be over power. Moreover, Alleva focus the way the director of the movie, Carl Franklin, represent Easy's home. The light color, mellow, denotes that he is pacific and it is his place of rest; although, the he needs to deal with police every day. Therefore, the advantage of color movie is that we, as audience, can have a better idea of that character's moods. Something that it could not be appreciate in the classic noir, where the white and black colors represented more the bad side that the good side. Alleva comments how Easy show us that he does not give up quickly as the rest of his neighbors do. They are immigrating to other stated because of the lack of work as well as the corruption by the cops. Easy take cares of his house; although, he is unemployment and has a mortgage to pay.
Gates, Philippa. "Always a Partner in Crime." Journal of Popular Film & Television 32.1 (2004): 20-29. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 3 May 2011
In her article "Always Partner in Crime" Philippa Gates points out, "The detective film is concerned with a hero who triumphs over injustice and evil; however, as in the majority of mainstream American film, that hero is most often white" (1). Therefore, the participation of the black detective to films is a element that updated classic noir. "Devil in a Blue Dress" gives to its audience a clear issue that the community has had and has: racism. As Gates comments "The film is thus a successful revisit to the noir form because, not only does the film authentically re-create the postwar mood, but it also applies it to a more contemporary issue" (26). Therefore, the present of African-American characters in films brings with it the problems that they confront in a daily basis. Easy in his intent to make money with easy task, as a detective, he finds himself involved in a case with two murders. Another element that Gates comments is that "Devil in a Blue Dress" film brings the present of family as a background as well as colors, but is not just the color to distinguish from black and white; is the participation of its character's emotions as community that classic noir does not have (26). Even though, the concept of family apparently is not present, is around Easy's house where family with their kids are seen what it looks to be that not only Easy suffers repression from cops. Gates finishes his article commenting that "Devil in a Blue Dress" step-up with a white woman as a partner of a black detective.
Guerrero, Ed. "Devil in a Blue Dress." Cineaste 22.1 (1996): 38. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 3 May 2011
As Ed Guerrero implies in his article "Devil in a Blue Dress" Although L.A. in 1948 is clearly Raymond Chandler's turf, and both Mosley and Franklin pay ample homage to him, this noir journey is definitely viewed through the prism of the black experience." Indeed, is the African-American race which prevails in "Devil in a Blue Dress" film that together with its customs it is clear that classic noir is updated. Black actors are seen playing most of the roles from the neighborhoods to the smoky bars. Cops and politics,both corrupts, and some of the gangster are represent by the Anglo race.
Lefebure, Leo D. "Devil in a Blue Dress: Trouble up to the top." Christian Century 113.17 (1996): 551. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 3 May 2011.
In his article "Devil in Blue Dress: Trouble up to the Top", Leo D. Lefebure based his commentaries in how biological origin and color skin are a barrier for any individual at the time of post ward. Lefebure points out
"The color line restricts all lives, not only African-Americans but even a rich, white politician who can become mayor but cannot choose his own spouse." Colored people are not the only community who suffered because of their origin,the Anglo race in some way pay the consequences to have a relationship with the. Todd Carter who is running for mayor of Los Angeles renounces to married to Daphne because she is part black. He is afraid confronting his family and society about her fiance's origin. Neo-noir films are characteristic for the anxieties that post ward brings with it. Police makes difference between races, as Lefebure comments about the murders that Easy is confronting. In the first murder, Coretta, it does not look to be important to the police since the victim is black. The other one, Daphne's brother, is a white man, so the police has more interest to resolve it. Black community live from the segregation of job opportunities to lack of protection from cops.
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