In this shot from Double Indemnity, the viewer is looking at a close up of Phyllis
Dietrichson. The shot is from Walter
Neff's point of view, and is the first time he ever sees Phyllis. The shot is evident that Walter is fascinated by Phyllis and that he would fall for her. She is elevated above him atop the staircase, which symbolizes that she is going to play Walter for her best interest- like a puppet master. Phyllis' wardrobe also has sexual implications that Walter is distracted by, and ultimately makes Walter strive for affection from Phyllis.
This still from L.A. Confidential is of Bud White and Lynn as part of an audience. Shot from the perspective of a third person, it conveys the message that Bud has fallen for lynn, and that he cares only about her, not the show they are watching. His actions at this point in the movie are in an effort to win Lynn's love. Similar to the way Walter Neff saw Phyliss above him on the staircase in the Dietrichson home, and could think nothing of nothing but her beauty, Lynn is just as distracting to Bud white.
