Directed by:
Billy WilderCinematography:
John F. SeitzComposer:
Franz WaxmanCast:
William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Erich von Stroheim, Nancy Olson, Fred Clark, Franklyn Farnum, Jack Webb, Lloyd Gough, Cecil B. DeMille, Hedda Hopper (more)VOD (2)
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Billy Wilder's masterpiece SUNSET BOULEVARD, a corrosive black comedy that remains the most memorable assault on the emptiness and vanity of the movie business, stars William Holden as young, down-and-out screenwriter Joe Gillis. Narrated in flashbacks by the now-deceased scribe, the film unwinds the series of events that left him lying face down in a pool. Unable to sell his most recent chef-d'oeuvre, and in hock up to his eyeballs, Joe stashes his car in the driveway of what appears to be an abandoned mansion on Sunset Boulevard while trying to elude some persistent repo men. Closer inspection reveals the decrepit property to be inhabited by grandiose former silent movie goddess Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson), and her zombie-like manservant Max (Erich von Stroheim). Upon hearing that he's a writer, the lonely but still wealthy woman offers to pay him generously to stay at the house and work on her "comeback" script on the life of Salome. Although spooked by the people and the surroundings, in desperate straits, Joe takes the job, little suspecting the madness of the netherworld he's entered. Wilder's merciless portrait of the dangers of a profession that trades in fantasy cagily couples the cynical amorality of the never-was with the near-psychotic narcissism of the has-been to reveal the vacuity of wealth and the transience of fame. (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (11)
It occurs to me that it's not exactly flattery when (for example) Hollywood is referred to as the Dream Factory. If it makes the audience dream, that's good. But when the stars HAVE to dream because of it, it's worse. Sunset Boulevard captures all this transience very convincingly, mercilessly passes it on and still has something to say. Buster Keaton's role (he said one word, but twice!) delighted me, and Gloria Swanson, William Holden and Erich von Stroheim thrilled me.
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Any attempt to set standards for the quality of the screenplay or directorial creativity is inappropriate in the case of this film. Sunset Blvd. must not be perceived with your brain, but rather your heart. The dense veil of fog, impenetrable to the eyes of an ordinary mortal, was torn to pieces by Billy Wilder within a hundred minutes, revealing the naked face of Hollywood glamour personified by an aging actress who, despite having surpassed her own prime by thirty years, continues to build her own dreams. Her lifestyle level, depicted by the kitschy house from the early architectural modernism of the 1920s, intersects with the simplicity of a prototypically unsuccessful screenwriter, of whom there were plenty even during the director's times. His final work thus resembles a masterfully composed image of a social-artistic-generational confrontation, from which no one can emerge as victorious majestically achieving their goal, strongly supported by brilliantly performed acting. It is a unique artistic experience that occasionally (un)pleasantly sends shivers down the spine and a perfect demonstration of how much "beauty" a genre like dark noir can hide within itself.
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William Holden's cynical bons mots about the factory of dreams simply had to become timeless. However, his solitary character also functions as an ideal guide to the dark noir with a tinge of black humor. An unforgettable film that serves at the same time as both an homage to Hollywood and a powerful critique.
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This is how I imagine a film that is so timeless and compelling in its premise that it can continue to captivate audiences even decades after it was made. Sunset Blvd. is an acting tour-de-force by Gloria Swanson, who took my breath away with her performance, demonstrating to a tee the acting techniques of the silent film era. Alongside this, there are noticeable elements of film noir that support a very gloomy and oppressive atmosphere at times. The highly stylized production design, the theme and the participation of the stars of the cast and director only make it all the more enticing to watch. A gem that definitely deserves attention because it is a work of craftsmanship.
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Another one of those films you hear about being great, being significant, and then you see it and realize it's all true. An amazing snapshot of Hollywood in its time. A tribute to the legends of the silent era, as well as a demonstration of how show business actually works. It's smart, it's very cynical, and it's truly breathtaking. A glimpse of Buster Keaton warms the heart.
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Gallery (103)
Photo © Paramount Pictures
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