Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Reel And U — 25 Jun 2013
Coming in at #16 on the AFI Top 100, it is said that Sunset Boulevard is the closest interpretation of what goes on in Hollywood that has been seen in a movie. From what starts off as an easy-to-follow film noir piece, it slowly turns into a jacked-up love story.
Just as Gillis references in the film itself, the character of Norma feels just like Ms. Havisham from Charles Dicken's Great Expectations. She is the old woman who can not forgive Hollywood for forgetting her as she aged and she plans to take it out on anyone who she can suck into her pit of despair (namely Gillis).
The story intrigued me at the beginning with the murder, but as it moved along and I saw it was about a crazy old actress who becomes obsessed with a much younger screenwriter, I was let down. Chinatown and On the Waterfront are 2 noir films on the AFI Top 100 list that lived up to the crime noir feel, but Sunset Boulevard went a little nuts, just like its lead actress.
I can't say this movie was a "bad" film, but it is for a unique movie watcher and only a handful of people can cheer over this strange story. Take a look, see for yourself. Co-starring acclaimed directors Cecil B.
DeMille and Erich Von Stroheim.
This review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) was written by Reel And U on 25 Jun 2013.
Sunset Boulevard has generally received very positive reviews.
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