Editing Double Indemnity (section)

===Reviews===
Contemporary reviews of the film were largely positive, though its content made some uncomfortable. While some critics found the story implausible and disturbing, others praised it as an original thriller. In ''The New York Times'', [[Bosley Crowther]] called the picture "Steadily diverting, despite its monotonous pace and length." He complained that the two lead characters "lack the attractiveness to render their fate of emotional consequence", but also felt the movie possessed a "realism reminiscent of the bite of past French films".<ref name="Lally"/>{{rp|139}}

Film critic and author [[James Agee]] reviewed it in 1944: "In many ways ''Double Indemnity'' is really quite a gratifying and even a good movie, essentially cheap I will grant, but smart and crisp and cruel{{nbsp}}... " <ref>Agee, James - ''Agee on Film Vol. 1'' © 1958 by The James Agee Trust.</ref> ''[[New York Herald Tribune]]''{{'}}s Howard Barnes wrote it was "one of the most vital and arresting films of the year", praising Wilder's "magnificent direction and a whale of a script". ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' felt it "sets a new standard for screen treatment in its category".<ref name="Lally"/>{{rp|139}}

Radio host and Hearst paper columnist [[Louella Parsons]] said, "''Double Indemnity'' is the finest picture of its kind ever made, and I make that flat statement without any fear of getting indigestion later from eating my words."<ref name="Hoo"/>

The ''[[Brooklyn Eagle]]'' was highly complimentary, "Besides MacMurray, who shows up as a top flight dramatic actor in a role that is a new type for him, and Miss Stanwyck, who has never given a more striking performance, 'Double Indemnity' has a third standout star, Edward G. Robinson, in his best role in many a film....By the way, there's no need to warn the teenagers away from this one; they wouldn't skip it in any case, and besides, 'Double Indemnity' makes it beautifully clear that murder doesn't pay—and certainly the insurance company doesn't, without sharp investigation."<ref>Corby, Jane. "Screen: Barbara Stanwyck, Fred MacMurray Teamed in 'Double Indemnity' at N.Y. Paramount." Brooklyn Eagle, 7 September 1944, 16</ref>

In the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'', Philip K. Scheur ranked it with ''[[The Human Comedy (film)|The Human Comedy]]'', ''[[The Maltese Falcon (1941 film)|The Maltese Falcon]]'', and ''[[Citizen Kane]]'' as Hollywood trailblazers. [[Alfred Hitchcock]] wrote to Wilder saying, "Since ''Double Indemnity'', the two most important words in motion pictures are 'Billy' and 'Wilder'."<ref name="Hoo"/>

The film's critical reputation has only grown over the years. In 1977, [[Leslie Halliwell]] raved, "Brilliantly filmed and incisively written, perfectly capturing the decayed Los Angeles atmosphere of a Chandler novel, but using a simpler story and more substantial characters."<ref>Walker, John (ed.) ''Halliwell's Film Guide'', New York: HarperPerennial, 1994, p. 344 {{ISBN|978-0-06-273241-5}}</ref> In a 1998 review for his "Great Films" series, [[Roger Ebert]] wrote, "The photography by John F. Seitz helped develop the noir style of sharp-edged shadows and shots, strange angles and lonely [[Edward Hopper]] settings."<ref>Roger Ebert [https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-double-indemnity-1944 "Double Indemnity (1944)"], ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', December 20, 1998. Last accessed: October 7, 2022</ref> Film critic ''[[Pauline Kael]]'': "...this shrewd, smoothly tawdry thriller is one of the high points of 40s films."<ref>5001 Nights at the Movies ISBN 0-8050-1366-0</ref>

In ''[[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]'', [[Robert Fraser (writer)|Rob Fraser]] enthused, "Film noir at its finest, a template of the genre, etc. Billy Wilder in full swing, Barbara Stanwyck's finest hour, and Fred MacMurray makes a great chump."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Double Indemnity |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/double-indemnity-review/ |access-date=2021-03-08 |website=Empire|date=January 2000 }}</ref>

The film holds a 97% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]] based on 105 reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Double Indemnity |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/double_indemnity |access-date=November 29, 2022 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |publisher=[[Fandango Media]]}}</ref> It scores 95/100 based on 18 reviews on [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Double Indemnity Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/double-indemnity |access-date=November 29, 2022 |website=Metacritic |publisher=[[Fandom, Inc.]]}}</ref>