Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Ben H — 04 Aug 2009

It's ironic how the character of Norma Desmond is so repulsed by a talking picture, when Gloria Swanson is probably more loved in this very outspoken "talkie" than any of her silent roles. This movie is absolutely amazing on so many levels. Every character shines, especially Swanson and von Stroheim, who is a fanstastic actor as well as director, and who incidentally directed a few of Swanson's silent pictures. William Holden's narration, although at the start of the movie a bit unexpected, worked so well at setting the uneasy feeling that dominated the movie. The shockingly uneasy tension that literally drips from Norma Desmond makes other depictions of fallen stars, such as Baby Jane Hudson (played by Bette Davis) look like crabby old women and nothing more.

The movie is all around one of the best ever made. "Allright, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my Close Up...".