Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Ivan M — 03 May 2012

I love this film. Billy Wilder creates a world which tears down all the fun and glamour that the public percieves Hollywood to posess, and instead this film becomes one of, if not the earliest motion picture to portray the world of movies in such a dark and sinister way.

Gloria Swanson gives one of cinema's all time great performances as Norma Desmond, a former silent film star who was tossed out and forgotten by audiences, upon the arrival of the 'talkies'.

'We didn't need dialogue. We had faces!" is what she exclaims to William Holden as the unknown screenwriter who takes advantage of her despair in order to make some money. Erich Von Stroheim is excellent as her quiet butler, despite his own later dismissal of the role.

I think it's essential viewing for people who are interested in films, and it is something truly worthy of the word masterpiece.