Word after film or pinot - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Word after film or pinot," is a classic example of a crossword construction that tests your ability to find a common link between two seemingly unrelated concepts. It's a satisfying type of clue to solve, as the answer clicks into place for both parts simultaneously.

Clue Analysis

The clue asks for a single word that can logically follow both "film" and "pinot" to create two well-known phrases. The structure is straightforward:

1. film ______
2. pinot ______

The solver's task is to find the word that fits in both blanks. This requires tapping into knowledge from two different fields: cinema and wine.

Thinking Approaches

When faced with a clue like this, a good strategy is to tackle one part at a time.

1. Start with the most familiar phrase. For many, "film ______" might be the easier starting point. What are common phrases that start with "film"? Film score, film festival, film critic... and a specific genre of film.

2. Try the other phrase. If the first part doesn't immediately yield the answer, consider "pinot ______". Wine enthusiasts or even casual diners will likely think of pinot grigio, pinot blanc, and another very popular red variety.

3. Find the overlap. By brainstorming possibilities for both, you're looking for the single word that appears on both lists. In this case, the answer is a French loanword that has been fully integrated into English, especially in these two contexts.

Background Context

The answer connects two distinct cultural domains:

• Film Noir: This is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas from the 1940s and 1950s. The term, French for "black film," was coined by French critics who noticed the trend of dark, cynical, and shadowy films coming from America post-WWII. Famous examples include The Maltese Falcon and Double Indemnity. You can learn more on the Film Noir Wikipedia page.

• Pinot Noir: This is a world-renowned red wine grape. The name is also French, translating to "black pine," which is thought to refer to the tightly clustered, pine-cone-shaped bunches of dark grapes. It's a notoriously difficult grape to grow but can produce some of the world's most acclaimed wines.

The shared word, meaning "black," aptly describes both the dark, shadowy aesthetic of the film genre and the dark skin of the wine grape.

Conclusion

This clue is a perfect example of an "easy" but elegant piece of construction. It rewards general cultural knowledge and the ability to make connections across different subjects. Once you see how the answer bridges the gap between movies and wine, it provides a satisfying 'aha!' moment that makes crosswords so enjoyable.

Hints

1. Hint 1: This word describes a genre of movies, often involving crime and cynicism.
2. Hint 2: The word is also associated with a popular type of red wine grape.
3. Hint 3: It's the French word for 'black'.
4. Hint 4: This cinematic style is known for its dark, shadowy visuals, as seen in films like 'The Maltese Falcon'.

The answer is NOIR.