Synopsis
A Hollywood Story
A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.
Sunset Boulevard
1950 Directed by Billy Wilder
Cast
William Holden Gloria Swanson Erich von Stroheim Nancy Olson Fred Clark Lloyd Gough Jack Webb Franklyn Farnum Larry J. Blake Charles Dayton Cecil B. DeMille Hedda Hopper Buster Keaton Anna Q. Nilsson H.B. Warner Ray Evans Jay Livingston Fred Aldrich Joel Allen Gertrude Astor Anne Bauchens Edward Biby Danny Borzage Ken Christy Ruth Clifford John Cortay Archie R. Dalzell Eddie Dew Julia Faye Show All…
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Alternative Titles
Sunset Blvd., 红楼金粉, Η Λεωφόρος της Δύσης, Crepúsculo dos Deuses, Бульвар Сансет, 선셋 대로
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100
A final image can be ambiguous or illuminating, ill-defined or razor-sharp, but Billy Wilder takes a moment of supreme clarity and showcases it through gradual opacity; a star slowly succumbing to an out-of-focus recreation of the glory days, one which is, in actuality, confined to a homicidal reality. Ah, showbiz.
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When I first moved to New York I lived in a rent controlled apartment in Chelsea with a 65 year old woman who used to wake me up at three in the morning to tell me about the 70s and who I’m about 80% sure tried to poison me when I was moving out. Was a very stressful living situation but ultimately it was worth it because it allowed me to understand this movie on a level none of you could ever imagine.
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i’m the fact that norma decides to trust joe, a complete stranger, solely due to the fact that he is a sagittarius
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"I am big! It's the pictures that got small!"
Masterfully snappy dialogue like only Billy Wilder and the golden age of 40's and 50's film-noir can deliver. A comeback performance from Gloria Swanson to redefine the very notion of a comeback (I still can't get over how expressive her face is). Incisive commentary on the process of filmmaking which extends to the real lives of its cast and crew (Gloria Swanson returning to film as Norma Desmond returning to film; Erich von Stroheim, the director of Gloria Swanson's early films, as Max von Mayerling, the director of Norma Desmond's early films). Prescient awareness of the critical lack of genuinely new stories two decades before anyone would use the term "postmodern" to describe literature. A truly one of a kind film.
Top 10 Film Noir | Metacinema
List of Shame | The Rewatch List -
A re-watch to prepare to be a guest on an upcoming podcast episode. But watching this once again reminded me of just how well crafted it is. I love the insider film references, (like Erich von Stroheim playing the film he actually directed starring Gloria Swanson.) Plus the way it’s both a product of the time in which it was made (you can see how the studio system was starting to falter) and how it shows the way many silent film stars were pushed to the side when they couldn’t make the transition to sound. There’s also plenty to dig into around ageism, sexism, the price of fame and mental health. This is a film I get more from every time I watch it.
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Gloria Swanson, the actress, was macrobiotic (basically vegan+) and her character, Norma Desmond, gives a funeral for a monkey.
What was perceived as eccentric in the 1950s could now literally be conceived of as sympathetic.
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I watched this back in September and toootally forgot to log it. I guess...that says something about the film? Was consistently entertained and invested throughout but never found myself extremely blown away by anything. Maybe I wasn’t in the right mood that day?? Perhaps I’ll give it a rewatch.
SORRY
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Bad film screenwriter Joe Gilles is NOT HOT! “Bases Loaded” is a bomb! This Hollywood loser goes from zero to A number one gigolo when he meets THE GREAT Norma Desmond! Thank you President Trump for bringing classic Hollywood glamour back!!
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Norma Desmond’s eyes.
Norma Desmond’s voice.
Norma Desmond’s expressions.
Norma Desmond’s movements.
Norma Desmond’s emotion.
Norma Desmond’s monologues.
Norma Desmond.
In short, Gloria Swanson as Norma Desmond is one of the most complex and rich characters ever brought to screen. She is an all-time film staple. Truly a gem. I loved every second of this.
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