Review of Sweet Smell of Success (1957) by Joe C — 04 Jan 2015
An extraordinary, unrivalled, utterly cynical piece of Hollywood noir, as Tony Curtis' sleazoid press agent rubs up against Burt Lancaster's formidable J. J. Hunsecker, the Broadway columnist who can make or break careers.
Ernest Lehmann was hired to adapt his own novella about the poisonous relationship between a publicist and a newspaper columnist, but fell ill during pre-production. Producer/star Burt Lancaster gambled on Clifford Odets, the left-wing playwright considered a wash-up after he'd testified at the House Committee on Un-American Activities.
Odets located the dark heart of Lehmann's story and exaggerated it through diamond-cutting dialogue that sounds like the poetry of the Manhattan streets. Sweet Smell of Success boasts a top-notch cast, sharp direction, atmospheric cinematography, and an appropriately jazzy score, making it one of the best noir crime thrillers ever made.
This review of Sweet Smell of Success (1957) was written by Joe C on 04 Jan 2015.
Sweet Smell of Success has generally received very positive reviews.
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