Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Matt P — 10 Aug 2011

"Sunset Boulevard," directed by Billy Wilder, focuses on the life of Norma Desmond (played by Gloria Swanson), an aged silent-film actress and the Hollywood writer (William Holden) she forces to try and organize her come-back. The film was shocking for it's time, due to certain elements such as satire, exaggeration and exploitation. However, the exaggerative nature of Swanson's crazed character still applies to Hollywood films these days. Back in this day and age (that would be 1950), the 20s were a long gone era after Technicolor and sound evolved. What's eminent here is the blatant use of puns and hints Wilder's brilliant dialogue gives to suggest the drastic change in the industry.

Additionally, there are even such big names to "nametag" Paramount such as Cecile B. Demille himself, who poses as the only man powerful enough to launch Norma back into stardom. The results of her hysteria (due to obvious manic depression over years) are tragic, and the message is haunting and should be studied today. When we first see Norma she appears almost as a Ghost in a big house. Holden's character, Joe, is flabbergasted by the amounts of junk she's kept over the years, hording useless photos and material object, struggling to mask her contempt for the way the industry has gone.

"Sunset Boulevard" is ironic with all of it's pokes of fun at Hollywood, and with a sort of "typical" plot it becomes even more shocking when you find a "typical" plot like that may have actually happened. This movie IS that "typical" plot, and Swanson's legendary performance is proof. As time will eventually go by in Hollywood (as it has now, of course) "Sunset Boulevard" will always remain one of the most unique films exposing what can just happen to a faded star, and how cruel the industry can be. Whether that be moving to talking pictures, or turning every crazed new animation film into 3D. With unforgettable performances, writing, and great directing (Wilder's direction looks notably like an unnerving documentary), this is a timeless film is one I don't see growing old any time soon, if not a little dated.