Sunset Boulevard (1950)
8.3 /10
2753 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
A hack screenwriter writes a screenplay for a former silent film star who has faded into Hollywood obscurity.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Joe Gillis
... Norma Desmond
... Max von Mayerling
... Betty Schaefer
... Sheldrake
User reviews
A classic for the must to be seen list.
Gloria Swanson is magnificent.
Director:
Genres:
Release Date:
1950-08-10
Run Time:
110 min
MMPA Rating:
NR
Reviews of
Sunset Boulevard
A classic for the must to be seen list.
Gloria Swanson is magnificent.
**One of the great films of Hollywood's golden age.**
This movie is really special. Not only does it show us a lot about the world of Hollywood during its golden age, but it also reveals a lot about the actors' egos, vanities and their titanic struggles to preserve their careers and stay in the limelight. Brilliantly directed by Billy Wilder, it is considered by many to be one of the great movie classics, combining entertainment, artistic value and cultural relevance. In 1951, it won three Oscars (Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction in a Black and White Film, Best Comic Film Soundtrack) and could perfectly have won one more, for Best Actress. But awards like these are never completely fair, especially in years so fertile for good films.
Starting with the iconic scene of the dead man in the pool, the film intrigues us, and curiosity grips us, as the film shows how it all happened, introducing us to an average screenwriter who struggles to write a successful script that can leverage his career. He owes money, is in serious trouble and takes advantage of the opportunity to earn some easy money at the expense of a retired silent film actress, who decides to hire him to revise and type a script, written by herself and designed to mark her return. The script is mediocre, and he knows that the film will never happen, but he is coerced into silence, becoming the privileged eyewitness of the former star's gradual loss of lucidity. Of course, things get complicated as he loses his individual freedom and becomes more dependent on the whims and desires of his mistress.
Despite the fiction, the film is based a lot on several loose true facts: one of them, the most obvious, is the fall of several actors in the course of the transition from silent to talking films. There were great actors who looked magnificent on screen and had great physical and facial expression, but who didn't survive this transition due to things as prosaic as a poor English fluency or a strange accent. Others, however, simply did not know how to understand and adapt to the novelty. The collapse of their careers and personal lives led to alcoholism, drugs, mental disorders. The film is able to condense almost all of this into a single character: Norma Desmond, the epitome of the fallen star.
The cast has several well-known names, three of which – William Holden, Erich Von Stroheim and, obviously, Gloria Swanson – offer us the interpretation of their lives and their work of greater value and recognition. Of course, we cannot ignore that Swanson was a great star of silent cinema and that she shone in films like “Trespasser” or “Indiscreet”, and that Holden would continue to be a highly sought actor after this, having won his Oscar for Best Actor in a film that starred two years later. But there is no doubt that this film immortalized the three of them.
Technically, the film is impeccable, and the merit lies a lot in the brilliance of the dialogues, in the excellence of the conception and development of the characters, in the extraordinary way in which Wilder managed to get the best out of Swanson and lead the actress to a magnificent performance, which has so much to brilliant and difficult as well as provocative (especially from the point of view of many Hollywood shooting stars, who saw themselves in character and felt offended by it). With an excellent pace, the film does not waste time or let the atmosphere of tension and drama fall into a standstill. The mansion, owned by the Getty family, acquires character by itself as it becomes the most obvious symbol of the disturbed personality and only of its resident. The black and white cinematography is magnificent, and accentuates, in its details and shooting angles, the dramatic feel of the film. The soundtrack isn't memorable, but it's effective and functional.
"Gillis" (William Holden) is a down-at-heel script writer who is struggling to keep his head above water. Not having had any successes for a while, his car is about to be repossessed and his erstwhile boss "Sheldrake" (Fred Clark) has nothing for him. On the run from the pursuing repo men, he turns his car into the drive of a decaying old mansion. Hiding his car in the garage, he is mistaken by the house's owner for an undertaker - she has a small matter that needs attending too! Realising her error she demands he leave, but not before he mentions what he does for a living. She has a script. Hundreds of pages of script - and she offers him a job, champagne and caviar if he will edit and refine it so "Norma Desmond" (Gloria Swanson), a retired former silent movie star, can present it to her favourite director Cecil B DeMille and restart her glorious career. Initially just seeing dollar signs, he agrees and what now ensues is a masterfully crafted story of love, dependency, ambition and delusion in which Swanson absolutely shines. It's clear to us from the outset that her grasp on reality is somewhat limited, and but for her dedicated factotum "Max" (Erich von Stroheim) she might well have fallen victim to her own depression many years ago. Holden is also on solid form here, his initial selfishness starts to morph into something more, he begins to care for this woman whose head is increasingly in the clouds, and upon whom she is becoming more reliant. The dialogue is delivered via a mix of Holden's quite honest narrative and the conversations between the characters delivering some of the best lines in cinema - "I'm still big - it's the world that's got smaller!". The mental decline and instability of "Desmond" is expertly displayed here by a star who new a thing or two herself about the silent film scene, and who brings her facial expressions, her mannerisms and her generally star-studded demeanour to bear really effectively as the audience gradually realise that nothing here is going to pan out as it seems - or as anyone wants. Von Stroheim underplays his supporting role with aplomb and though I didn't really love the sub-plot with Nancy Olson's "Betty Schaefer" - it took away from the intensity of the main storyline - it did to serve to illustrate just how powerful jealousy can be. This is a super film, that still captivates on a big screen and is really well worth sitting down to watch.,
Ace! 'Sunset Boulevard' is a splendid flick from 1950.
I will note that I found the middle to be ever so slightly less interesting than the beginning and ending, though even so overall I most definitely enjoyed watching it. Love the dialogue, the score is excellent too. William Holden and Gloria Swanson are tremendous together onscreen, in what is a supremely well told story.
IMHO...This is a straight up Horror film. A demented, faded star of the Silent era takes in a down on his luck writer... and basically keeps him as a boy toy/hostage. She has a creepy attraction to the much younger man. Her house and butler are straight out of Hammer Film.
That being said... I love this film. The casting is great. William Holden gives one of his best performances ever.
Gloria Swanson plays deranged wonderfully. And Von Stroheim is a brilliant bit of casting. You get the feeling he would do anything for his employer... including murder.
The writing is crisp...Billy Wilder's direction is amongst some of his best.
For those who resist B&W films... put aside your prejudice and watch this film. It is excellent.
Cast & Crew of
Sunset Boulevard
Cast
... Joe Gillis
... Norma Desmond
... Max von Mayerling
... Betty Schaefer
... Sheldrake
... Morino
... Artie Green
... Undertaker
... 1st Finance Man
... 2nd Finance Man
... Cecil B. DeMille
... Hedda Hopper
... Buster Keaton
... Anna Q. Nilsson
... H.B. Warner
... Ray Evans
... Jay Livingston
... Cop Who Drags Joe's Body from Pool (uncredited)
... Prop Man #2 (uncredited)
... Courtier (uncredited)
... Editor (uncredited)
... Restaurant Patron (uncredited)
... Accordionist (uncredited)
... Homicide Captain (uncredited)
... Sheldrake's Secretary (uncredited)
... Young Gate Guard Mac at Paramount Studios (uncredited)
... Camera Operator (uncredited)
... Assistant Coroner (uncredited)
... Hisham (uncredited)
... Phone Standby (uncredited)
... Betty's Roommate Connie (uncredited)
... Detective (uncredited)
... Salesman at Men's Shop (uncredited)
... Creighton Hale (uncredited)
... Grip on DeMille Set (uncredited)
... Police Sergeant (uncredited)
... Doctor (uncredited)
... First Assistant Director (uncredited)
... Little Woman Outside Paramount Gate (uncredited)
... Police Lieutenant (uncredited)
... Camera Operator (uncredited)
... Violinist at Norma's New Year's Eve Party (uncredited)
... Party Guest (uncredited)
... Hairdresser (uncredited)
... Man on Golf Course (uncredited)
... Police Captain (uncredited)
... Hog-Eye Electrician (uncredited)
... Dancing Party Guest / Paramount Studio Employee (uncredited)
... Prop Man #1 (uncredited)
... Gordon Cole (uncredited)
... Fat Man (uncredited)
... Courtier (uncredited)
... Courtier (uncredited)
... Older Paramount Gate Guard Jonesy (uncredited)
... Detective (uncredited)
... Sidney Skolsky (uncredited)
... Black Man (uncredited)
... Salesman at Men's Shop (uncredited)
... Giggling Girl on Phone at Party (uncredited)
... Actor on DeMille's 'Samson & Delilah' Set (uncredited)
... Camera Assistant (uncredited)
... Bernice (uncredited)
... Courtier (uncredited)
... Second Assistant Director (uncredited)
... Rudy, Shoeshine Boy (uncredited)
... Party Guest (uncredited)
... Actor on DeMille's 'Samson & Delilah' Set (uncredited)
Crew
... Director
... Screenplay
... Producer
... Production Manager
... Original Music Composer
... Art Direction
... Editor
... Costume Design
... Screenplay
... Director of Photography
... Art Direction
... Set Decoration
... Screenplay
... Set Decoration
... Assistant Editor
... Hairstylist
... Orchestrator
... Assistant Director
... Visual Effects
... Construction Coordinator
... Camera Operator
... Orchestrator
... Orchestrator
... Orchestrator
... Makeup Artist
... Sound Recordist
... Sound Recordist
... Assistant Property Master
... Technical Advisor
... Wardrobe Master
... Makeup Supervisor
... Gaffer
... Dialogue Coach
... Still Photographer
... Wardrobe Master
... Hairstylist
... Supervising Editor
... Props
... Grip
... Second Assistant Director
... Makeup Artist
... Visual Effects
... Assistant Camera
... Head Carpenter
Videos & Photos of
Sunset Boulevard
Videos (2)
75th Anniversary Trailer
1: 31
Trailer
1: 31
Photos 45
Similar Movies To
Sunset Boulevard
The Return of Little Master (1960)
4/10
The plot revolves with Raicharan's tragic life. He is the obedient servant of local zamindar and takes care of zamindar's son whom he addresses as Khokababu. One day the little son dies in an accident in river flood and he is blamed for the same. In a delusional state, Raicharan starts believing his own infant to be his much loved khokababu and brought him up only to return him to his master.
Release: 1960-04-28
The Woman on Pier 13 (1950)
5.3/10
Communists blackmail a shipping executive into spying for them.
Release: 1950-06-15
The Reckless Moment (1949)
6.8/10
After discovering the dead body of her teenage daughter's lover, a housewife takes desperate measures to protect her family from scandal.
Release: 1949-12-09
Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954)
7.014/10
A prisoner leads his counterparts in a protest for better living conditions which turns violent and ugly.
Release: 1954-02-18
Prey for Rock & Roll (2003)
4.8/10
In late 1980s Los Angeles, Jacki and her all-girl punk rock band, Clam Dandy, are trying to make it big. On the verge of turning 40, Jacki decides that if the band's one last shot at the big time is unsuccessful, she will give up her dreams of stardom.
Release: 2003-09-26
Naked Alibi (1954)
6/10
Questioned as a murder suspect, solid (but drunk) citizen Al Willis attacks his police questioners, is beaten, and swears vengeance against them. Next night, Lieut. Parks is murdered; Willis is the only suspect in the eyes of tough Chief Conroy, who pursues him doggedly despite lack of evidence. The obsessed Conroy is dismissed from the force, but continues to harass Willis, who flees to a sleazy town on the Mexican border. Of course, Conroy follows. But which is crazy, Conroy or Willis?
Release: 1954-10-01
The Lost Weekend (1945)
7.624/10
Don Birnam, a long-time alcoholic, has been sober for ten days and appears to be over the worst... but his craving has just become more insidious. Evading a country weekend planned by his brother and girlfriend, he begins a four-day bender that just might be his last - one way or another.
Release: 1945-11-29
Take Care (2014)
6/10
When a car crash leaves Frannie immobilized, she is brushed off by everyone she can count on. With nowhere else to turn and desperate for help, she turns to an unlikely source, her ex Devon.
Release: 2014-03-07
Brute Force (1947)
7.3/10
Timeworn Joe Collins and his fellow inmates live under the heavy thumb of the sadistic, power-tripping guard Captain Munsey. Only Collins' dreams of escape keep him going, but how can he possibly bust out of Munsey's chains?
Release: 1947-07-16
Heidi (1937)
6.9/10
Heidi is orphaned and her uncaring maternal Aunt Dete takes her to the mountains to live with her reclusive, grumpy paternal grandfather, Adolph Kramer. Heidi brings her grandfather back into mountain society through her sweet ways and sheer love. When Dete later returns and steals Heidi away to become the companion of a rich man's wheelchair-bound daughter, the grandfather is heartsick to discover his little girl missing and immediately sets out to get her back.
Release: 1937-10-15
Tower of London (1939)
6/10
In the 15th century Richard Duke of Gloucester, aided by his club-footed executioner Mord, eliminates those ahead of him in succession to the throne, then occupied by his brother King Edward IV of England. As each murder is accomplished he takes particular delight in removing small figurines, each resembling one of the successors, from a throne-room dollhouse, until he alone remains. After the death of Edward he becomes Richard III, King of England, and need only defeat the exiled Henry Tudor to retain power.
Release: 1939-11-17
Moonrise (1948)
6.2/10
Stigmatized from infancy by the fate of his criminal father, a man is bruised and bullied until one night, in a fit of rage, he kills his most persistent tormentor. As the police close in around him, he makes a desperate bid for the love of the dead man’s fiancée, a schoolteacher who sees the wounded soul behind his aggression.
Release: 1948-10-01
Memoirs of a Getaway Driver (2023)
7.7/10
A getaway driver reunites with his old girlfriend and remembers moments from the past. As they recall their moments inside the getaway car parked in front of a bank in Cabo Frio while a robbery takes place, they will reevaluate their ending.
Release: 2023-11-17
She Said (2022)
7.224/10
New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor break one of the most important stories in a generation — a story that helped launch the #MeToo movement and shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood.
Release: 2022-11-17
Jealousy (1984)
2.7/10
In this made-for-TV drama, Angie Dickinson stars in three separate vignettes as a woman whose life is dramatically affected by the emotion that gives the film its name.
Release: 1984-01-23
Nabarag (1971)
0/10
Reena was a very honest/beautiful and tomboy type village girl who lived with her grandfather in East Bengal. She developed a very close relationship with her simple style of living. But Partition of India creates problems for them. Reena had to came to Kolkata in her maternal uncles home . But here she faced a totally different scenario. The lifestyles were too different. She was not able to adjust properly. In a social gathering a local Entrepreneur Mr. Bagchi observed it but he began to like Reena. After a while they got married together. Then they were blessed with a child . But Reena was not all comfortable with her child’s value system and psychology. So a complication was born between them. This is a story of different perspectives who forced to live life together bonded in a relationship.
Release: 1971-02-04
Christmas Holiday (1944)
6.397/10
Don't be fooled by the title. Christmas Holiday is a far, far cry from It's a Wonderful Life. Told in flashback, the story begins as Abigail Martin marries Southern aristocrat Robert Monette. Unfortunately, Robert has inherited his family's streak of violence and instability, and soon drags Abigail into a life of misery.
Release: 1944-07-31
The Fallen Sparrow (1943)
5.74/10
Imprisoned during the Spanish Civil War, John "Kit" McKittrick is released when a New York City policeman pulls some strings. Upon returning to America, McKittrick hears that a friend has committed suicide, and he begins to smell a rat. During his investigation, McKittrick questions three beautiful women, one of whom has a tie to his refugee past. Pursued by Nazi operatives, McKittrick learns of the death of another friend, and begins to suspect the dark Dr. Skaas.
Release: 1943-08-19
King of the Underground (2011)
5.7/10
Part true story, part fiction, King of the Underground is a dark comedy about a frustrated rap artist who goes on an all out murderous killing spree after years of being rejected by the music industry.
Release: 2011-03-27