Double Indemnity Frame Analysis

When looking at this final shot of Walter and Barton, you immediately notice the drastic contrast in color. The lighting here creates an effect where Walter is clearly the focal point of the scene. Your eye is immediately drawn to him because there is so much light on his face whereas Barton has a very dark appearance. The contrast between the two is what makes your eye attract to Walter. This lighting, and Walter being the focal point is clearly intentional with the context of the scene. In this image, Walter had just been shot by Phyllis. These are his last moments, so this scene is essential in catching his final seconds on screen. In this shot, we also  see Barton towering over him while lighting his cigarette. The way I perceive this is Barton is standing above Walter because in this shot Walter is weak and dying, whereas Barton is completely fine and well. It is arranged this way to show Walter's deteriorating physical state. Barton is also lighting Walter’s cigarette here, so it gives Walter some power in his last moments which is indicative of his character throughout the movie. 

While the scene does shed light on Walter's face for the dramatic effect, the overall mood of the shot is very dark. In comparison with other stills from the movie, this particular image has much darker shadows and a dreary feel to it. In addition, Walter’s face is extremely sweaty which insinuates signs of distress. The frame composition here is entirely fitting of what is going on in the scene since it is Walter's death scene. The dark cast of lighting, Walters body language of being slumped over and the general mood created here is a perfect representation of how the viewer should be feeling while watching this scene of Walters' last moments.