Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Michael Y — 03 Sep 2011

One of Billy Wilder's earliest movies, and most would even call it his masterpiece. Sunset Boulevard takes its viewers down that magical road of Hollywood and into its back alley of obsession, deceit, abuse and false realities.

At a large Hollywood mansion we find our narrorator, washed-up screenwriterJoe Gillis, dead in a swimming pool. Joe takes us through the story leading up to his death, beginning when his car breaks down at the mansion of an old and almost forgotten filmstar of the silent era, Norma Desmond. Norma hasn't been in a picture for years and is planning to return to star in her own script, which she needs Jow to help re-write. Norma talks about her fame and how everyone loves her, but Joe's journey will lead him to see the sad life that is Norma Desmond. Norma is an incredibly interesting character. Her past fame no doubt existed, to the point where we might think she can make a big return. But her self-destructive tendencies of suicide and reality delusions keeps her in the safe world of her mansion. She is also very abusive, almost holding Joe hostage with the threat of suicide. But who are we to think Joe is such a good guy. He too abuses Norma and her wealth. He is also flirtatious with his friend's girlfriend, played wonderfully by Nancy Olson. Then there's Max, the butler, who's loyalty and feelings towards Norma is questioned all the way to the end. Sunset Boulevard is a mysterious, depressing, but very exciting movie. We're taken into the world of Hollywood that can make and break you, and how it can control the lives and hearts of anyone. This truely character driven drama in so incredibly compelling and so incredibly performed that it can be enjoyed many times other, leaving you with LOTS to think about.

Billy Wilder is one of the greatest movie directors of all time, and Sunset Boulevard is a prime example. The pacing of this movie plays like a great noir story, with the narroration appropiately placed and told. Each shot is beautiful, even when the scene is particularly a depressing and desturbing. The cinematography is absolutely the best in this movie, spliting from a reality look, to a dreamy look, to an altered reality look, which this film constantly crosses over. Lighting and camera angles are used at their least conventional for its time. Truely groundbreaking cinematography. The mansion set looks incredible. Full of detail, props, and everything you'ld expect a crazy rich lady to have. But it's not a dream mansion, it's a look into the demented, prideful and lothing mind of a star who both loves and hates herself. We're also taken into the Paramount stages and offices which is a cool detail into how films look behind the camera.

Sunset Boulevard is truely one of the greatest movies ever made. It is interesting, desturbing, looks INCREDILBE, full of character questioning scenes, and is performed PERECTLY by the cast. (especially Cecil B. DeMille who plays himself. He's a pretty damn good actor actually) Sunset Boulevard is a creepy tale into the mind of Norma Desmond, and will leave you wanting more.