Is Film Noir a Genre?

For several years critics have debated whether or not Film Noir is still considered a film genre, some critics argue that film noir has developed into a collection cinematic motifs and techniques, technically considered a film style instead of a genre. Generally film noir is referred to as a an artistic movement established in the 1950s. 

It could be argued that Film noir is a genre as it has it own conventions, traits, visual styles and Icons. If compared to more conventional Film noir does withhold the conventions considered to make a genre, for example Film noir has character archetypes like the fall guy or femme fatale and lighting techniques typical of the genre. If these conventions are compared to other genres, for example romantic comedy, with conventions and common plot devices like the the romantic pairing disliking each other, and a massive misunderstanding causing the couple to doubt their relationship with each-other, surely it would be unfair and nonsensical to consider this a genre but throw aside a rich genre, full of conventions, legendary films and key icons.  

Genre itself is defined as a category for film or an artistic style by the Oxford dictionary making the debate regarding the differences between a genre or artistic style seem redundant. This definition allows Film Noir to be considered a cinematic styling and a genre, the differentiation between them seeming unnecessary. 

Film Noir also holds legendary scenes, films and acting icons made great through film noir, categories that have made other genres seem more legitimate, for example the legend Harrison Ford became for the action genre, following Indiana Jones amongst the action genre, making the genre seem more authentic and fixed. Film Noir also holds actors in a similar regard, Humphrey Bogart becoming a cinematic legend following his work in the film noir genre, making him an icon of the style. 

Historically I believe that Film Noir was a genre, instead of a creative style due to the amount of film noirs produced per year, the icons featured and the legends the genre created, however this influenced has been restricted to the 'Golden Age' of Film Noir, however after the 1960s the genre decreased significantly and the conventions were changed so drastically, that a majority of the Film Noir's produced in the 1970s or later were considered to be Neo Noirs. If a genre is unattainable for modern directors to classify films in the genre, is it realistic to still maintain that it is a genre. Furthermore while film noirs have become decreasingly popular in recent years it has been featured as an artistic or cinematic style within other genres and media platforms, being used increasingly in advertising and television, very view film noir films have been produced in recent years, perhaps implying that genre has died out. 

However in recent years several crime, action or even comedy films can be considered Neo Noir's perhaps showing how the genre has transformed rather than dying out, adapting to transforming to meet the expectations of modern audiences. This does conform to one of genre's five functions, to adapt and diversify over time to stay relevant and interesting. 

To conclude, I believe that Film Noir is a genre due to the conventions and iconography featured so heavily in the genre, the scale of film noirs produced in the 1950s solidifying this. However in recent years the decline in the genre does make it similar to the style, however I believe despite the rarity of film noirs in modern society, they still constitute a genre.