Poll: Do you consider Notorious a film noir?

[Akkun]

Long ago I posted this question on Criterion's forum. The responses were divided, but leaning towards Notorious not being a film noir.

So I thought I'd pose the same question in this forum dedicated to noir. I'm curious as to the general consensus here.
The boundaries of noir change from person to person, and that's part of what makes noir interesting.

As for myself, I feel Notorious is a really well done spy-thriller and not a noir. How about you?

[Steve-O]

I tend to agree that it's not a film noir... but there are noir elements. I put all Hitchcock films in their own category.

This is one of my favorite films.


Anyone else agree?

[Hard-Boiled-Rick]

I tend to agree that it's not a film noir... but there are noir elements. I put all Hitchcock films in their own category.

This is one of my favorite films.

Anyone else agree?

Agreed. Not really noir, but noirish. Hitchcock is operating on his own plane.

[Andrew666]

Yes, I'd go with that - noirish in character but not truly noir - leaning a bit too much towards melodrama. I think this is mainly because of Ingrid Bergman's acting or non-acting perhaps. Somewhat over the top.

She looks lovely though:

[SuperDanX]

Great film but not a noir as I think of noir. As other have said I consider Hitchcock a genere of it's own.

[lmpdasilva]

Is Notorious a film noir? Basically it is a romantic thriller with noir themes. You have the 'femme fatale' Ingrid Bergman. She is cynicial, and mistrusting. Hitchcock incorporates the noir traits of suspicion and betrayal in the story. We later find out that Alicia is revealed to be a woman who is 'bad' not by nature nor design but as a result of circumstances. While Grant's character is akin to other noir heroes in his inability to see beyond a woman's facade, is flawed by not being trusting enough.

[Steve-O]

I think I'd like to clarify my answer. I do think some Hitch films are 100-percent noir. Strangers on a Train, Vertigo, and Shadow of the Doubt are all noir- while others like Psycho and Lifeboat are not. But I'm still not leaning towards 'no' for Notorious.

[Richard]

Okay, Hitchcock operates on his own plane, we know that, but ...
if you take the "noirish elements" out of NOTORIOUS it wouldn't be NOTORIOUS.
You'd have nothing left. It's a noir in its noirish elements.

Richard

[Hard-Boiled-Rick]

The fun part about all this is that no one can agree on the definition of film noir. It's postmodern. It is what you want it to be - see it too be. It's Silly Putty - pliable and stretchable. Certainly the noirish elements are noir, as a circle is circular.

I agree with Steve-O. Hitchcock's Strangers on a Train and Shadow of a Doubt (one of Hitchcock's favorites) are pure film noir - what ever that means. Vertigo is almost pure noir (the garish colors detract a bit). Psycho is horror in my perception of the world.

[Akkun]

It's too bad more people didn't participate in this poll. But from this sampling of people, the results reflect those at the Criterion forum. Divided but leaning towards not being noir. It may be divided concerning noir, but I think everyone can agree that it's a great film! I have yet to have met anyone who disliked Notorious!