Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Erik W — 25 Feb 2011

I wish films were more like this today. But, unfortunately not. Not only was this one the best films ever made, this was THE best film about Hollywood during the times Hollywood was actually a great place to be.

This was the 1st Billy Wilder film I've seen, and I was speechless when it ended. Excellent Acting plus sharp dialogue with a mix of genres (such as noir, dark comedy, and romance), fantastic shots with the brilliant directing of Billy Wilder equals MASTERPIECE.

This film presents the EMPEROR OF ALL SCREENPLAYS. Originality doesn't get better than this. Commenting on the acting, Gloria Swanson steals the show as the long lost silent film star Norma Desmond.

She was very witty and breathtakingly scary throughout the duration of the film. I couldn't take my eyes away from the screen every time she spoke or widened her eyes when she was angry. William Holden was fantastic as one of the most sympathetic characters in the history of cinema as Joe Gillis and Erich von Stoheim brought a dark presence and an important characterization to the entire film as Max.

This is a film I will expect to see many more times, because this film changed my entire look at films today. It breaks my heart that people today only want mindless entertainment and not the brilliant art that some films have to offer in the past.

I wish to be an artist of movies that everyone would want to see and this film is a definite inspiration for me. HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS TO OTHERS!!!