Gilda (1946)

(http://twscritic.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/rita-hayworth-gilda.jpg)

Rita Hayworth's definitive role, Gilda places all the emphasis on the titular character. The male characters and their subplots seem to fade away in the face of the film noir vixen, who teases the audience with her constant shifting between guilt and innocence: we are never really sure whether we should trust Gilda. For this reason I liked the film very much- characters who sway in grey moral eras are fantastic to watch- but several sections dragged on. The male love interests also portrayed a deeply worrying attitude towards Gilda- one indicative of the time the film was made, but distressing when seen by a modern auidience. Frankly, although I'd come to emphasise with Gilda by the end of the film, I struggle to understand why the film resolved with a happy romantic ending- surely after the manipulative events of the film, Gilda would ditch the leading male and head for home as a free woman? 

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5289/5375658754_0af7119235.jpg)

In terms of costuming, Gilda excels, particularly serving to highlight the importance of light in the black and white film medium. Throughout the film, we see Gilda in a variety of high fashion garments and evening looks, each sharing the common feature of shine, sparkle or glimmer. Contrasted against the men in their flat black suits and the dully oufitted ladies in the background, Gilda literally shines, making her unreservedly the centrepiece of the film- and indeed, the entire plot hinges upon her dalliances with the male characters. While it is never explicitly explained, we as the viewer are made to understand that Gilda holds a shady past, and this is made prominent through her clothes. She wears fashionable, often sheer, and often darkly coloured garments which hug the body in a modest silhouette. Her clothes, while not dramatic in shape, are made of opulent fabric and designed to highlight her sheer desirability, driving the audience to fall under her spell as easily as the two male leads.

(http://leesfilmnoirblog.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/gilda4.jpg)