Sunset Blvd.
3.5/4
Starring: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Nancy Olson, Erich von Stroheim
Not Rated
"Sunset Blvd." is really a sad story. I wouldn't call it depressing, but it definitely has a sense of melancholy about it. It makes sense; after all the central character is a faded star who is teetering on the edge of insanity, and the "hero" takes advantage of her for her money. But it's really about the realization that the glory days are behind you.
Joe Gillis (Holden) is a screenwriter who can't get a job. His car is about to be repossessed, so he's desperate. While on the run from the guys who intend on collecting it, Joe gets a flat tire and pulls into the driveway of an old mansion. He thinks it's deserted, but it's not. It's tenant is none other than Norma Desmond (Swanson), one of the most famous silent movie stars. She thinks he's there to bury her beloved chimpanzee, but when she hears that he's a writer, she insists that he look at her script for "Salome." It's a mess of melodrama and non-sensical ramblings, but Joe senses an opportunity. He can live there rent free with all of his needs cared for as long as he works on the script. But Norma, who is teetering on the edge of insanity, is a demanding employer, and when he begins to work on a script with a pretty writer named Betty Schaefer (Olson), she resorts to drastic measures.
"Sunset Blvd." is well-known as a "Hollywood" movie, but it's not a fantasy. It shows Hollywood for what it really is: a place of magic for those who are in the spotlight, but where people are commodities as easily used as paper and using people is a way of life. Director Billy Wilder takes an even-handed approach to the material, which suits it well. It's neither too bleak nor whitewashed.
The performances are top-notch. William Holden (taking over for Montgomery Clift, who backed out two weeks before filming) is well-cast as Joe. Known for his dramatic performances laced with black wit, that suits him well for the role. In a position like his, I suppose having a dark sense of humor is a life-saver. Unfortunately, his motives are at times a little hard to understand, particularly when Wilder concentrates on the living situation with Norma. Saying more would be a minor (although unimportant) spoiler, but those who watch the film will see what I mean by the halfway point. I haven't seen Gloria Swanson in any other films, but she gives an amazing performance. Norma Desmond is one of the great movie characters and while the intelligent and deep script certainly helps, the majority of it is because of Swanson. She successfully straddles the line between a tragic woman and a complete lunatic. It is readily apparent from when she appears on screen that she is not right in the head, but as the film goes on we realize more and more that she is utterly insane. Able support is provided by Erich von Stroheim as her faithful butler Max (interestingly enough, von Stroheim directed Swanson in a number of films, including "Queen Mary," which killed his career behind the camera and left their relationship on a sour note) and Nancy Olson as the lovely Betty.
Billy Wilder has been named as one of the great filmmakers to have ever worked in Hollywood, and his resume includes some of Hollywood's most celebrated titles, including "Some Like it Hot," "The Apartment," and "Double Indemnity." This is because he is a student of film technique and a great storyteller. He takes his time and gives every element their due. He's also a gifted director of actors, having cultivated flawless performances from his cast.
"Sunset Blvd" was almost lost to time. The original negatives have long since disappeared, and the only film version of it were 35mm inter-positives from 1952, and they were in poor condition. You wouldn't know it by watching the film, however. Each frame has been lovingly and meticulously restored, resulting in a glorious production.
Part tragic story and part dramatic thriller, "Sunset Blvd." has lost none of its potency.
Starring: William Holden, Gloria Swanson, Nancy Olson, Erich von Stroheim
Not Rated
"Sunset Blvd." is really a sad story. I wouldn't call it depressing, but it definitely has a sense of melancholy about it. It makes sense; after all the central character is a faded star who is teetering on the edge of insanity, and the "hero" takes advantage of her for her money. But it's really about the realization that the glory days are behind you.
Joe Gillis (Holden) is a screenwriter who can't get a job. His car is about to be repossessed, so he's desperate. While on the run from the guys who intend on collecting it, Joe gets a flat tire and pulls into the driveway of an old mansion. He thinks it's deserted, but it's not. It's tenant is none other than Norma Desmond (Swanson), one of the most famous silent movie stars. She thinks he's there to bury her beloved chimpanzee, but when she hears that he's a writer, she insists that he look at her script for "Salome." It's a mess of melodrama and non-sensical ramblings, but Joe senses an opportunity. He can live there rent free with all of his needs cared for as long as he works on the script. But Norma, who is teetering on the edge of insanity, is a demanding employer, and when he begins to work on a script with a pretty writer named Betty Schaefer (Olson), she resorts to drastic measures.
"Sunset Blvd." is well-known as a "Hollywood" movie, but it's not a fantasy. It shows Hollywood for what it really is: a place of magic for those who are in the spotlight, but where people are commodities as easily used as paper and using people is a way of life. Director Billy Wilder takes an even-handed approach to the material, which suits it well. It's neither too bleak nor whitewashed.
The performances are top-notch. William Holden (taking over for Montgomery Clift, who backed out two weeks before filming) is well-cast as Joe. Known for his dramatic performances laced with black wit, that suits him well for the role. In a position like his, I suppose having a dark sense of humor is a life-saver. Unfortunately, his motives are at times a little hard to understand, particularly when Wilder concentrates on the living situation with Norma. Saying more would be a minor (although unimportant) spoiler, but those who watch the film will see what I mean by the halfway point. I haven't seen Gloria Swanson in any other films, but she gives an amazing performance. Norma Desmond is one of the great movie characters and while the intelligent and deep script certainly helps, the majority of it is because of Swanson. She successfully straddles the line between a tragic woman and a complete lunatic. It is readily apparent from when she appears on screen that she is not right in the head, but as the film goes on we realize more and more that she is utterly insane. Able support is provided by Erich von Stroheim as her faithful butler Max (interestingly enough, von Stroheim directed Swanson in a number of films, including "Queen Mary," which killed his career behind the camera and left their relationship on a sour note) and Nancy Olson as the lovely Betty.
Billy Wilder has been named as one of the great filmmakers to have ever worked in Hollywood, and his resume includes some of Hollywood's most celebrated titles, including "Some Like it Hot," "The Apartment," and "Double Indemnity." This is because he is a student of film technique and a great storyteller. He takes his time and gives every element their due. He's also a gifted director of actors, having cultivated flawless performances from his cast.
"Sunset Blvd" was almost lost to time. The original negatives have long since disappeared, and the only film version of it were 35mm inter-positives from 1952, and they were in poor condition. You wouldn't know it by watching the film, however. Each frame has been lovingly and meticulously restored, resulting in a glorious production.
Part tragic story and part dramatic thriller, "Sunset Blvd." has lost none of its potency.
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