Sunset Blvd. (1950)

 Sunset Blvd. (1950)

 “There's nothing else. Just us, and the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark. All right, Mr. De Mille, I'm ready for my closeup.”

            These are the painful words from aging actress Norma Desmond as she grapples with fame right after she committed a murder. This phrase is one of the most memorable phrases in cinema’s history. Billy Wilder has a knack of making such endings in his movies as evidenced by Some Like It Hot. Sunset Blvd. is one of the best movies about Hollywood. It tackles a very relevant topic as it deals with fame and what happens when fame run its course. The movie is every bit of a film-noir as it is a comedy. Just like Wilder did with Double Indemnity, he created a movie that thrills at nearly every turn and the relationship between William Holden and Gloria Swanson keeps coming and grabbing you until the shocking ending. You can also classify the movie as a black comedy. Personally, I did not have any belly rolls but rather uncomfortable giggles which is by design. The pet monkey funeral sequence is just an example of one that illicit such giggles. Regardless of the genre, the movie is about as good as it can be. It is a surefire classic and one that cements Billy Wilder’s as cinema’s most impressive director.

Billy Wilder had an eye on a story like this for quite some time. Living in Berlin in the 1920’s, Wilder was always fascinated by American culture that was depicted through moving images. He had interest in the star system and the luxurious homes that came with this star system. Two decades later, living in Hollywood, he would think about these homes and ponder what became of the Greta Garbos or the Mary Pickfords of the silent era as many of these stars struggled to continue their careers with the advent of sound and dialogue. People tried to guess, but no one really knew who Wilder based Norma Desmond on. It is likely a composite of different actresses. Of course, with Gloria Swanson and Erich von Stronheim being important figures of the era, we see a little bit of themselves. A movie von Stroheim directed with Swanson as the lead is screened for Holden’s character. In fact, Wilder made it a point to use authenticity. Cecil B. DeMille played himself. Former silent stars such as Buster Keaton make an appearance. Hollywood’s influence is everywhere. It is an age-old theme that is even relevant today as we always see stars who lost their luster years ago try to make a comeback. Wilder’s and Charlie Brackett’s screenplay is highly intelligent and uses several genres to make a story about characters, young and old, trying to make their way through the unforgiving valleys of Hollywood.

Joe Gillis (William Holden) is a struggling B-writer who is having problems financially. His car is on the verge of being possessed by creditors. While trying to avoid them, he stumbles upon a mansion of former Hollywood, Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson). Norma lives with her servant, Max (Erich von Stronheim). His job is to satisfy her ego and make her believe she is still loved by the public. Joe takes this opportunity to create a screenplay for Norma’s comeback but does not realize what Gloria has in store for him. As he becomes seduced by her wealth, it might be too late to realize just how far he needs to go to satisfy his needs and Norma’s needs.

Gloria Swanson, a product of the silent era, was one of the few who made peace that her film career ended and went into radio/television. She was superbly intrigued when Wilder approached her with the script. Because of her healthcare routine, she looked really good for her age. I am glad she took the role because she is fantastic. She is a nutcase, but you understand where she is coming from. I am sure I would feel it if I lost my fame because of changing times. Acting opposite from Swanson’s star performance is the younger William Holden. Eager for roles since coming home from the war, Holden made every scene count. As he was drawn into the luxurious lifestyle of Norma’s, so were the viewers. Erich von Stronheim, originally a director, is mysterious and more than just the personal valet. He is pivotal in the story and when we find out who he really is, the reveal works. Also, Nancy Olson is good as the girl who falls in love with Holden as she wants to start a career in Hollywood herself.

Nominated for 11 Academy Awards, Sunset Blvd is one of the best movies if not the best movie Hollywood has made about itself. Paramount did not really know what Wilder was making as he started shooting without a finished screenplay and worked the screenplay a little bit at a time. The idea about an aging actress in Hollywood is very similar to another 1950 classic, All About Eve. Both are similar, yet different in their own ways. Of course, they both need to be seen. This is the film-noir version of the 1950 Best Picture Oscar winner. It is thrilling, has some unpredictable twists, and is an important character study about fame and how it can affect people. One of the best endings the movie has!

My Grade: A+