Review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) by Greg L — 19 Nov 2010
As noir stories go, this one's only passable, but it nevertheless remains one of the classic examinations of the dark underside of Hollywood, due primarily to Swanson's mesmerizing performance as Norma Desmond, an aging former film star slipping gradually, Miss Havisham style, into madness in a crumbling mansion strewn with decaying relics of a faded, happy youth.
It's a bitter rumination on what happens to a personality used to being feted and adored when the lights go out and the interest of the public fades, sure, but it's also one of the most haunting portrayals of unhappy old age in movie history.
Self-delusion, failure, aging, and mortality are harsh realities the movies often seem intent on pretending don't exist, except as obstacles to be triumphed over, but this film tells a sadder story, one that says that even inside the Hollywood dream factory you can hear them scratching at the door, waiting to drag you away.
I'm not sure if it's one of the best films in movie history, but it definitely has one of the most unforgettable central characters in movie history, and along with the impact of its central themes that's enough to merit its place in the pantheon.
This review of Sunset Boulevard (1950) was written by Greg L on 19 Nov 2010.
Sunset Boulevard has generally received very positive reviews.
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