Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by C.r. L — 10 Jun 2010

Billy Wilder was a genius when it came to creating a story, he never leaves a stone unturned or a single character with out his or her own voice. Wilder for years has been giving moviegoers and film lovers movies that not only live up to there status but also there name, he has created some of the most memorable characters such as Sgt. Sefton(Stalag 17), Norma Desmond(Sunset Boulevard), C.C "Bud" Baxter(The Apartment) and many more. Wilder was not just a visionary he was a master of the art of filmmaking he can make the simplest of story into a cinema classic such as "The Lost Weekend"(1945), "The Apartment"(1960), "Irma La Douce"(1963)." The Seven year Itch"(1955),"Some like it Hot"(1959) and one of his greatest films and a true cinema classic, "Sunset Boulevard"(1950). A film that was ahead of its time and showed that no matter what the story or no matter what the situation Wilder would always come out on top and deliver a unique and engaging film experience you will never forget.

Billy Wilder's "Sunset Boulevard" is still considered today one of the Golden Eras defining movies and one of film noirs most complex tales it is a film that not only leaves you shocked by the ending leaves you with the feeling of great sadness. "Sunset Boulevard' is the kind of film modern day moviegoers would call playful and manipulative when in fact hat is very true. This is the kind of film that grabs your attention with a dark and moody opening on a murder and then swiftly jumps back in time to tell you the story of how this all came to be, classic but also brilliant. Wilder uses many of his methods however, for a film considered a film noir there are not very many dark touches some of the scenes are usually bathed in sunlight or take place in well-lit rooms. What makes this picture a film noir is not its atmosphere or its lighting but the dark nature of its, the Gothic flare of the films main set Norma Desmond's 1920's mansion which looks more like a mausoleum than someplace you would live. That is the point of it Norma Desmond(Gloria Swanson) is a has been star a feeble old woman who still has big dreams of once again being up on the silver screen, of bring a star again like she was back in the 20's. Which can be said of Gloria Swanson who prior to making this film had not acted in nine years Swanson makes this film what it is she gives it its electric flair, its dark looming atmosphere of how a faded star wants to shine again. "Sunset Blvd." is as perplexing as it is thought provoking as the film closes and the unforgettable final scene has just ended you leave this film wondering if you were a star and you fell from the public eye how would you want to be remembered?

"Sunset Blvd." begins with such a captivating prologue that when it is over you are left feeling unnerved and yet at the same time riveted you are on the edge of your seat just sitting there as the mystifying drama of this thoroughly woven tale unfolds before you. However, you are not on the edge of your seat with excitement or on the edge of your seat because your adrenaline is pumping and you cannot seem to sit still, no you are on the edge of your seat because this film is so damn intriguing and addicting, it is like crack for the classic film lover. How it plays out is the most intriguing element how the characters interact with each other and play off each other is what makes this film work if the characters were not interesting the film would not be interesting, in a story character is everything and the ones in this dark and at sometimes-gloomy film are no exception. They are the most intruding bunch you will ever see put to film every one of them has some agenda or some hidden ulterior motive much like Erich Von Stroheim's character Maximilian "Max" Von Mayerling from the first time you meet Norma Desmond's butler you instantly get the feeling that there is something not very right with him. That is where Wilder draws the foreboding outline of his characters he uses the mystery of human nature, how we work to drive the mystery and drama of the film to the shocking climax.

William Holden was one Hollywood's most talented and beloved stars starring in such classics such as Billy Wilder's "Sabrina"(1954) and "Stalag 17"(1953) for which he won his first and only Academy award. in Billy Wilder's dark vision of Hollywood Holden gives one of his finest performances as a hack screenplay writer trying to make it to the big leagues, Holden is much more reserved and cynical in this film than he is in his other films exuding a kind of hatred and pity towards Norma Desmond. He hates her because she wants to give him everything he could ever want and he pities her because she lives all alone in her massive mansion with disillusioned dreams of being a star once more. Holden's character Joe Gillis has big dreams too but nothing to show for them and Holden draws his strength from that, he draws his strength from the fact that his character wants it all but does not want it handed to him on a silver platter the way Norma Desmond does to him. There is more to Holden here he plays it calm, cool collective as he tries dealing with Norma's arrogance and fits of deranged anger. There is only so much a man can bear and if it were not for Norma's loyal butler Max, he would have to bear it all. In addition, Holden does bear it all he bears the burden of being the one with the misfortune of running into the crazed former movie star. Gloria Swanson prior to this film had not made a movie in over ten years and in the yes of the Golden Era public she was all washed up, a has been. However, to Billy Wilder she was a revelation his salvation to this film and in turn what made "Sunset Boulevard" what it is. If any other actress had taken the role, it would not have been so memorable or so grand, in real life Swanson was a former silent film star who found it hard to find a job when the pictures incorporated sound. Moreover, for the part of Norma Desmond she is perfectly suited for a role that some would call impossible to play however, Swanson pulls it off with excellence and proved to everyone that she was still a star. The rest of the cast including Erich Von Stroheim, Nancy Olson, and Jack Webb all deliver excellent supporting performances in a film that shows you the true dark side of one of the most glamorous business in the world.

Upon its original release, "Sunset Boulevard" fell under extreme controversy over its themes and how it pointed its finger at Hollywood. One of the main people who was most appalled by this film was the head of MGM studios Louie B. Mayer saying to Wilder in front of the crowd of celebrities, "You have disgraced the industry that made and fed you! You should be tarred and feathered and run out of Hollywood!" During its original run "Sunset Boulevard" was one of outside films much like Frank Darabont's "The Majestic" was when it was released almost 51 years later. Even after almost 60 years, "Sunset Boulevard" is considered one of Hollywood's greatest films and the greatest film about Hollywood and while you may be on top for a little while, you will not stay on top forever.