Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Melvin W — 22 Feb 2014

Norma Desmond: I am big! It's the pictures that got small.

"A Hollywood Story".

Sunset Boulevard is one of those timeless classics that every film buff must see in their lifetime. It's some of Billy Wilder's best works and only the second film of his I've seen, the other being, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, which is considered to be one of his lesser efforts. So it was nice to see Wilder at the top of his game, and was he ever. Sunset Boulevard is a masterpiece, there's absolutely no doubt about that.

A struggling screenwriter named Joe Gillis stumbles on what he thinks to be an old abandoned Hollywood stars home while running from repossessors who want his car. When the home isn't actually abandoned, but actually occupied by an aging silent film star, Norma Desmond. Norma is delusional, self absorbed, and downright crazy. She is trying to stage a comeback with a screenplay she has been working on for years and asks Joe to edit it. He agrees thinking it will be some nice, quick cash. The stay on Sunset Boulevard doesn't happen to be as brief as he thought though.

The performances from William Holden and Gloria Swanson are phenomenal. The story is great, no matter what you want to call it; a film noir, a character study, whatever, it's fantastic. There's a lot of dark material, but the writing manages to allow for some comedic moments. The house is almost another character altogether and an amazing setting for a film.

Sunset Boulevard is a must see film. Film lovers will love the movie driven story, fantastic performances and great direction. It's one of the few movies that will be well known forever and never forgotten. A complete masterpiece.