Lazo - Frantic

Roman Polanski's Frantic contains elements noir to ratchet up the tension and suspense as Richard Walker searches for his missing wife. These noir elements include paranoia, helplessness, and isolation. Dr. Walker's paranoia is the most obvious element. No one believes his wife has been kidnapped; the hotel employees, the French police, and embassy workers all think Walker is overreacting and paranoid.

Dr. Walker's helplessness and isolation go hand-in-hand. He is isolated by the fact that no one believes him, and he is on his own. He is also isolated by his surroundings. He's stuck in Paris, and he can't speak French - he has no means to truly communicate. He is an outsider. Who wouldn't feel helpless in these circumstances? His intense helplessness and isolation all tie in well with his paranoia. He seems paranoid, which alienates him (another noir element) from authorities who could help; isolated and alone as a result, Walker feels helpless in his predicament.

This picture doesn't have any piece particularly lit better than the rest. The brightest spots are the lights down the hallway and the doorway Walker is standing in, perhaps representing the desperate choice of how to handle his wife's disappearance. As a result, the framing is fairly loose, allowing Walker to move down that hallway should he choose to. The shot is personal, clearly showing the confusion and worry on Walker's face, but is not so close as to exclude the look down the hallway. Walker's expression shows much of his helplessness and isolation. The paranoia is soon to follow.