Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Sylvester K — 14 Feb 2016

Part film noir, part comedy, part satire. Sunset Boulevard opens with a slain man recounting how he was murdered, the audience is about to learn about the mystery through a flashback on fame, fortune, love and deceit.

It is a tragic version of Singing in the Rain, the acting was superb, the techniques in noir films were decisively used to make the film as hilariously terrifying as possible. Norma Desmond is definitely Gloria Swanson's best role. I loved everything about the film: the pace, the twists, the depiction of aging movie stars, the mise en scene. It's a remarkable experience, definitely a must watch.