JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonSunset Boulevard (1950)
September 13th 2006 02:25
Sunset Boulevard
DVD Cover
Director: Billy Wilder
Writers: Billy Wilder & Charles Brackett
Starring: William Holden, Eric Von Stroheim, Gloria Swanson, Jack Webb, Buster Keaton, Cecil B Demille, Hedda Hopper
“…You see, the body of a young man was found floating in the pool of her mansion, with two shots in his back and one in his stomach. Nobody important really, just a movie writer with a couple of "B" pictures to his credit. The poor dope. He always wanted a pool. Well, in the end he got himself a pool only the price turned out to be a little high...Let's go back about six months and find the day when it all started.”-Joe Gittis (William Holden)
Revered for its knowing screenplay, atmospheric cinematography and the timeless direction of Billy Wilder (Some like It Hot, Stalag 17, Double Indemnity, The Apartment, Witness for The Prosecution).
Mr Wilder's work was famous for it's lack of sentimentality, prefering to tackle taboos of the day with an underlying cynical sense of humour. Socially aware and a keen observer of human nature all his films seem to look on the world with modern eyes.
Sunset Boulevard delves into the shadows behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, its all about the desire for fame, fear of failure and inevitable self destruction of talented minds and bodies.
The film opens in voice over and we meet struggling writer Joe Gillis (William Holden) floating face down, dead in a swimming pool. Flashback six months, Joe is rejected by the studios, he is about to give up on his dreams as a screenwriter and head back to Ohio, tail between his legs.
Then, opportunity knocks when he meets has-been silent movie superstar, Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson). A mentally troubled older woman, who craves the rush of the now, long gone spotlight.
“I am big! It’s the pictures that got small.” – Norma Desmond
The two begin a mutually parasitic relationship which, right from the start we know is doomed.
“I’m ready for my close up Mr Demille” -Norma Desmond
Winner of 3 academy awards the film rightfully appears in numerous publications’ “Top Ten films of all time” lists.
John Doe says: (9/10)
Immensely entertaining, the tension builds and is perfectly balanced with the sly, black comedy seeping from the script. You can’t help but be drawn into these richly drawn characters lives and slowly dread where you know it’s all heading.
The performances are some of the finest captured on film with even the smallest player making their presence memorable. Keep an eye out for walk on cameos from some of the screens most immortal legends playing themselves (Cecil B Demille, Buster Keaton etc).
William Holden (The Wild Bunch, Network, Picnic, Executive Suite, Breezy, Stalag 17) manages to make us love and hate him with equal pleasure. Gloria Swanson (Wages of Virtue, Stage Struck) was a prolific silent movie star in real life and as a result her performance can only be described as eerily believable.
The camera work is sublime, obscure angles and intuitive use of light and shadow mean you can’t take your eyes of the rich B&W screen. Ahead of it’s time and skilfully bringing up mature sub text while avoiding the censor’s scissors.
Emotional blackmail, insecurities exploited and bizarre and twisted fetishes fulfilled, by the time the final credits roll you will see that nothing has changed in the world of celebrity.
The DVD:
Presented in its original 4:3 format with a clear mono soundtrack, the movie alone is reason to pick this up. As a bonus though, we have some juicy extras in the form of the famous and elusive, original deleted morgue opening for the film.
An informative commentary from Wilder nut and author Ed Sikov and a nifty little making of offer some insight into the vast legend behind this film. There is also a documentary on Edith Head and a featurette on the moody score.
Other Recommendations:
Vincent Minelli’s The Bad and The Beautiful
Joseph M Mankiewicz’ All About Eve
John Schleisenger’s The Day Of The Locust.
Writers: Billy Wilder & Charles Brackett
Starring: William Holden, Eric Von Stroheim, Gloria Swanson, Jack Webb, Buster Keaton, Cecil B Demille, Hedda Hopper
“…You see, the body of a young man was found floating in the pool of her mansion, with two shots in his back and one in his stomach. Nobody important really, just a movie writer with a couple of "B" pictures to his credit. The poor dope. He always wanted a pool. Well, in the end he got himself a pool only the price turned out to be a little high...Let's go back about six months and find the day when it all started.”-Joe Gittis (William Holden)
Revered for its knowing screenplay, atmospheric cinematography and the timeless direction of Billy Wilder (Some like It Hot, Stalag 17, Double Indemnity, The Apartment, Witness for The Prosecution).
Mr Wilder's work was famous for it's lack of sentimentality, prefering to tackle taboos of the day with an underlying cynical sense of humour. Socially aware and a keen observer of human nature all his films seem to look on the world with modern eyes.
Sunset Boulevard delves into the shadows behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, its all about the desire for fame, fear of failure and inevitable self destruction of talented minds and bodies.
The film opens in voice over and we meet struggling writer Joe Gillis (William Holden) floating face down, dead in a swimming pool. Flashback six months, Joe is rejected by the studios, he is about to give up on his dreams as a screenwriter and head back to Ohio, tail between his legs.
Then, opportunity knocks when he meets has-been silent movie superstar, Norma Desmond (Gloria Swanson). A mentally troubled older woman, who craves the rush of the now, long gone spotlight.
“I am big! It’s the pictures that got small.” – Norma Desmond
The two begin a mutually parasitic relationship which, right from the start we know is doomed.
“I’m ready for my close up Mr Demille” -Norma Desmond
Winner of 3 academy awards the film rightfully appears in numerous publications’ “Top Ten films of all time” lists.
John Doe says: (9/10)
Immensely entertaining, the tension builds and is perfectly balanced with the sly, black comedy seeping from the script. You can’t help but be drawn into these richly drawn characters lives and slowly dread where you know it’s all heading.
The performances are some of the finest captured on film with even the smallest player making their presence memorable. Keep an eye out for walk on cameos from some of the screens most immortal legends playing themselves (Cecil B Demille, Buster Keaton etc).
William Holden (The Wild Bunch, Network, Picnic, Executive Suite, Breezy, Stalag 17) manages to make us love and hate him with equal pleasure. Gloria Swanson (Wages of Virtue, Stage Struck) was a prolific silent movie star in real life and as a result her performance can only be described as eerily believable.
The camera work is sublime, obscure angles and intuitive use of light and shadow mean you can’t take your eyes of the rich B&W screen. Ahead of it’s time and skilfully bringing up mature sub text while avoiding the censor’s scissors.
Emotional blackmail, insecurities exploited and bizarre and twisted fetishes fulfilled, by the time the final credits roll you will see that nothing has changed in the world of celebrity.
The DVD:
Presented in its original 4:3 format with a clear mono soundtrack, the movie alone is reason to pick this up. As a bonus though, we have some juicy extras in the form of the famous and elusive, original deleted morgue opening for the film.
An informative commentary from Wilder nut and author Ed Sikov and a nifty little making of offer some insight into the vast legend behind this film. There is also a documentary on Edith Head and a featurette on the moody score.
Other Recommendations:
Vincent Minelli’s The Bad and The Beautiful
Joseph M Mankiewicz’ All About Eve
John Schleisenger’s The Day Of The Locust.
"Love me, please, please love me."
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Comment by theadora
at the boardroom
Ad Magnum Opus
been some time since i came across this one, but this stayed with me- 'i'm ready for my close-up Mr Demille'
casablanca is another, i could go on, but i won't.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Nice to meet another fan of this genre hopping delight. It does stay with you, doesnt it?
I remember as a kid, watching it on Bill Collins and just being spelbound. This is one of those films that made me realise it doesnt matter when a films made, just as long as its done well.
Have you seen any of the other films I mentioned that look at the hollywood dream? All 3 are very insightful and honest.
Comment by theadora
at the boardroom
Ad Magnum Opus
If i force the brain into submission, it resents me. It really has to think too hard to find contemporary cinematic genius. However all is not lost - 'the sheltering sky' is one that lights the synaptic fires.
It stars John Malkovich, an actor worthy of his fame. For some benign reason the female lead escapes me.
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Ive already reviewed The Wild Bunch, and you actually posted a comment there.
Just click on "westerns" in my categories section and you will see the critique.
Please feel free to continue suggesting titles and I will do my best to post a review. Any suggestions are always welcome.
Comment by theadora
at the boardroom
Ad Magnum Opus
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
The Sheltering Sky was quite a good film.
We have just been discussing the Bertolucci's films (Stealing Beauty, The Dreamers) on Cibbuano's thread titled Last Tango In Paris.
Comment by Luke
Book Club
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Billy wilder is in undoubtedly one of my top Directors and Writers. His films all have so many dimensions to them and was somewhat prophetic in his depictions of modern society and human behaviour.
The thing i enjoy the most is how on the surface his films often appear comedic and then lurking just beneath is a poetic and touching human tradgedy.
He makes you love people you would rather hate.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
This was one of the films that made me realize what a skillful writer can do within a generic framework...of course I agreed the film is near faultless and would have been surprised if it wasn't near the top of your list.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile