Laura (film)
"Laura" is a 1944 film directed by Otto Preminger, notable for its intriguing narrative and strong performances. The story revolves around Laura Hunt, portrayed by Gene Tierney, who is initially believed to be dead, setting off a gripping mystery. Detective Mark McPherson, played by Dana Andrews, investigates her supposed murder, only to discover Laura alive about forty minutes into the film. The unfolding plot involves themes of obsession and the complexities of love, particularly as McPherson navigates his feelings for Laura, leading to questions about jealousy and morality. The film is recognized for its stylized, artificial aesthetic, characteristic of film noir, which enhances its dramatic tension. Additionally, "Laura" explores the power dynamics of women in both romance and the workplace, reflecting social attitudes of the 1940s. Its combination of a compelling narrative and memorable performances has led to its lasting impact in cinema, often regarded as more significant than the original novel it is based on.
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Laura (film)
Identification Crime drama about a beautiful woman, believed dead, who inspires obsession and loyalty
Director Otto Preminger (1906-1986)
Date Released in 1944
This major film noir, based on a 1943 novel by Vera Caspary, was a top picture directed by Otto Preminger that earned an Academy Award for cinematography by Joseph La Shelle.
The film’s opening words come from a voice-over by Waldo Lydecker (played by Clifton Webb), who says he shall never forget the weekend Laura died. However, she actually is not dead. Misdirection continues throughout the film, leaving viewers unsure until the final scene who killed the woman found in Laura Hunt’s apartment. The plot unfolds as a mystery, with detective Mark McPherson (Dana Andrews) leading the search to find Laura’s killer. Played by Gene Tierney, Laura is the center of the film, although the audience believes her to be murdered until forty minutes into the film. When she returns, she finds Detective McPherson, presumably on duty, in a drunken sleep at her apartment. It is a glorious shock for him to see Laura alive, but he wonders whether envy drove Laura to murder. Eventually he ferrets out the real murderer, who makes another attempt on Laura’s life and is killed.
Impact
Depicting the power women can wield in romance and work, Laura is a well-crafted mystery and tale of obsession, for which the film is much more important than the novel on which it is based. When Laura returns detective McPherson’s love, the movie rewards the masculine type considered most heroic during the 1940’s. The film remains notable for its cast and its style, contrived and artificial but somehow balanced and an exemplar of film noir.
Bibliography
Meyer, David. A Girl and a Gun: The Complete Guide to Film Noir on Video. New York: Avon, 1998.
Selby, Spencer. Dark City: The Film Noir. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland, 1984.
Tibbetts, John, and James Welsh. The Encyclopedia of Novels into Film. 2d ed. New York: Facts On File, 2005.