Post #520929 by TikiHardBop on Tue, Mar 30, 2010 10:14 AM

These films fit motif of the non-conformist(s) being persecuted by society. This goes back ages -- anybody remember Romeo and Juliet, or even the story of Christ? They usually contain a character or two who are tempted by the non-conformist hero to join in the rebellion against society -- and must suffer or die for the act. And I must admit that there are strong parallels with (my) definition of classic noir, I'm kind of against classifying them as noir. I would put these examples in the hard-boiled crime definition - a superset of noir that does include elements of noir.

But not all films that fit the non-conformist being persecuted by society fit the hard-boiled crime definition. For example, the previously mentioned "Romeo and Juliet","Spartacus","Cool Hand Luke".

I do agree on "Ace in the Hole" being noir, though. My wife is a reporter and it rings so true even to this day.

P.S. One of my favorites in this motif is "The Vanishing Point"