Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Tynan Y — 09 Oct 2012

Require lots of self-distance for an actress like Gloria Swanson to accept the role of Norma Desmond. Many former silent movie actresses turned the role down. Ironically this movie immediately became the critics pet, and even today is considered one of the most striking movies about Hollywood, how people got consumed (even more back then!).

I have a hard time categorizing this movie into a specific genre. Many people like to call this a film noir, but I think this resembles more a tragic melodrama with some very cynic moves in it.

Gloria Swanson, with no doubt, portrays one the most poignant and memorable characterization in Norma Desmond, ever seen in the history of cinema. It's powerful and moving and no matter if you like her or not, she certainly arouses strong feelings.

Miss Swanson herself (which I'm sure most of you know) was a huge star during the silent era and starred in many movies by Cecil DeMille (who, by the way plays himself in this). She was one of the highest paid on the silver screen but in essence felt into oblivion with the entrance of the dialog in the early 1930s. So in a way, you can almost say she's making a caricature of herself in her role.

Even though she's anything but sympathetic (the character, I mean :)...she's such a diva, but yet it's devastating to watch how desperate she is in need for a man. The only real friend and company she has is her old but loyal butler (played by Erich von Stroheim), who does anything to please his master/idol. He even writes fake fan-mails for her everyday, without her knowing it, to boost her ego.

William Holden plays Joe Gillis, a bohemian script writer, waiting for his break-though in Hollywood. After an incident with a pawnbroker, he takes to flight, accidentally in the great mansion on Sunset Boulevard. His first impression was that the mansion was abandoned, but then suddenly a butler invites him to come in.

Initially Norma rejects the uninvited guest, but when she learns he is a script writer (with possible connections to Hollywood) she sees her big chance to returning to the silver screen. She immediately puts him down to edit a script she's written on her own. Joe Gillis either doesn't have the heart to tell the delusional lady how bad the script is, or any reason to do so. She lets him stay and live on Sunset Boulevard, buys him expensive suits and things. Joe just puts a smile on and keeps on hiding from the pawnbroker. But when Joe falls in love with a fellow companion (played by Nancy Olsen) it arises trouble, since Norma has planned to propose to Joe.

In fact, neither Cecil DeMille or any other great old silent movie director, has any need for Norma, despite her beliefs. They contact her just for borrowing her old automobile to set piece for a movie they're currently shooting. The butler realizes it, but lets her believe it's actually the great, one and only Norma Desmond herself, they want.

Director Billy Wilder is behind this movie which nothing less than a masterpiece. I think we have to consider him as a director, one of the most diverted and genius who've ever lived among us. He overcame dramas, film noirs, comedies, almost always with a brilliant result. But I almost have to argue that...perhaps....possibly....this COULD be his greatest masterpiece.

Famous quotes;.

"-I am big, it's the pictures that's gotten small".

"-Oh, wake up, Norma! You'd be killing yourself to an empty house. The audience left twenty years ago.".

-"No one ever leaves a star. That's what makes one a star.".

"-Allright Mr. DeMille...I'm ready for my closeup".