Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Rob L — 07 Jan 2011

The whippy one liners of William Holden are a memorable feature of this, one of Hollywood?s most famous and most fêted movies. The transition of Tinseltown from the silent era to the new broom of the talkies is enacted in the minds of Holden and his co-lead, Gloria Swanson, playing one of film?s most unforgettable characters, Norma Desmond.

It?s a Los Angeles already showing hallmarks of the corruption of later days with those familiar motifs of the industry ? unrequited fame and ravenous sharks ? given an early showing ? topics that would be retraced many times in the future. That Billy Wilder is responsible for this effortless masterpiece alongside Some Like it Hot and The Apartment makes one forget other directors who temporarily hold a claim to be the greatest ever.