Review of Sweet Smell of Success (1957) by Ricardo O — 13 Oct 2010
"I'd hate to take a bite outta you. You're a cookie full of arsenic.".
Terrific performances from Burt Lancaster as a ruthless, powerful New York newspaper columnist named J.J. Hunsecker and Tony Curtis as a sleazy PR man named Sidney Falco who'd sell his grandmother if it would benefit him and his clients. Hunsecker is set against his sister marrying a jazz musician and Falco desperately trying to get in favor of Hunsecker, goes along to try and break up the relationship by making claims that the musician is a marijuana user.
"I'm tasting my favorite new perfume - success!".
Written by Ernest Lehman and directed by Alexander MacKendrick, Sweet Smell Of Success is a sharp-edged cookie full of arsenic loosely based on real life newspaper man Walter Winchell. Lehman injects plenty of cynicism into the script that could be compared to anything Billy Wilder ever wrote. There isn't a likable character in the film (except for maybe Hunsecker's poor sister and her boyfriend), everyone of them are despicable. MacKendrick's tight direction is on full display as he directs both Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis to one of the best performances each had ever gave in their entire careers. Lancaster puts away his usual likable charm and plays one of his darker roles as the malevolent columnist Hunsecker and Curtis, then an actor mostly known for his looks and not his talent, shows the naysayers that he could really act here in his first real serious role as the weaselly press agent who would do anything just to have the chance of smelling that sweet smell that is success. James Wong Howe's monochrome photography is absolutely breathtaking as it, along with Elmer Bernstein's jazz score, set a dark atmospheric mood following the characters through theaters, hotels and nightclubs. It is some part the equal to Billy Wilder's "Sunset Boulevard" yet with it's satirical view of the media and it's box-office turn out, it can be compared more to Wilder's followup to "Sunset Boulevard", "Ace In the Hole".
"What does that mean - integrity?".
British filmmaker Alexander MacKendrick creates one of the greatest films of the '50s, possibly ever made. It is an absolute classic of the noir genre that has aged gracefully. This is a film for fans of classic movies. Absolutely essential viewing. 10/10.
"I love this dirty town.".
This review of Sweet Smell of Success (1957) was written by Ricardo O on 13 Oct 2010.
Sweet Smell of Success has generally received very positive reviews.
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